Dirt not mud
An early thaw has led to muddy conditions on local trails. If you are leaving a footprint in the mud, it’s best to turn back and return in the early morning or evening when trails are frozen and less prone to damage.
Medicaid
During the pandemic, one in four Coloradans were covered by Colorado Medicaid, known as Health First Colorado. Membership grew from 1.2 million to 1.7 million Coloradans, a 37% increase. Because the pandemic was declared a Public Health Emergency, Medicaid members did not have to verify their eligibility for three years. Now, the federal government is requiring all states to resume their annual eligibility reviews, including for people with Health First Colorado and Child Health Plan Plus. Those who moved during the pandemic and did not update their address may not receive the renewal paperwork. For more information, visit www.healthfirstcolorado.com/renewals
GarCo property tax
Garfield County property tax notices were mailed on Jan. 30. Approximately 34,000 account notices were mailed for expected tax collections of $232.8 million — up from $187.1 million last year. Collections for 2024 will be distributed to kindergarten through 12th grade schools (37.71%), special districts (32.36%), local college districts (4.68%) and local municipalities (2.67%). The remaining 22.57% will be retained by the county. Property owners may pay taxes in halves or all at once. The deadlines for half payments are Feb. 29 and June 15. The deadline for a full payment is April 30. Property owners can make payments online at www.garfield-county.com/treasurer/tax-payments or by calling 970-945-6382.
Smart state
Colorado is the top state in the union in terms of postsecondary educational attainment, according to a new report by the Lumina Foundation. Nearly 63% of the state’s population, ages 25 to 64, has some form of postsecondary credential. Meanwhile, a Georgetown University report predicts that by 2031, Colorado will also be the top state in terms of the percentage of jobs that require a bachelor’s degree.
BPAC
The Basalt Public Arts Commission has $12,000 in grants available to local artists and organizations with a focus on public art and cultural opportunities. The deadline to apply is Feb. 23. Learn more at www.basalt.net/bpac
Heart Month
The American Red Cross of Western Colorado is celebrating American Heart Month by challenging all Coloradans to have at least one person in their homes who knows CPR. “CPR can double or triple the chances of survival after cardiac arrest,” Regional Disaster Preparedness Manager Paula Deegan stated in a press release. To request a Hands-Only CPR class for your community, email preparecolorado@redcross.org
Driving high
Gen Z is the first generation of Coloradans who have grown up in a state where recreational cannabis is legal. According to a Colorado Department of Transportation survey of 1,000 randomly selected drivers in 2023, 18 to 24-year-olds consume cannabis more than twice as often as the average driver (seven vs. three times per month). Gen Z was also more than twice as likely to report driving high in the past 30 days (20% compared with 7% of older adults) and more confident in their ability to drive high (37% of Gen Z cannabis consumers, compared with 17% of users ages 25 to 34). For information on the dangers of cannabis-impaired driving, visit www.DriveHighDUI.com
They say it’s your birthday!
Folks celebrating another trip around the sun this week include: Michael Kinsley and Amanda Villalobos (Feb. 8); Charley Hill and Ellen O’Gorman (Feb. 9); Diego Gonzales, Sara McAllister and Pam Rosenthal (Feb. 10); Georgia Chamberlain, Linda Criswell, Anne Goldberg, Thomas Mack, Sydney Courier McBrayer and Hamilton Pevec (Feb. 11); The Sopris Sun, Roger Berliner, Raleigh Burleigh, Sam Hayes, Anna Hutchinson, Ciara Low, Faith Magill, Sarah and Laura Nelson, Jamie Ramge and Gene Schilling (Feb. 12); Amy Rota (Feb. 13); Camille Backman, Winnie Crampton-Steindler, Deatra Glock, Gabriela Mejia and Andrea Stewart (Feb. 14).
~ C A L E N D A R ~
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8
LEGAL CLINIC
Free legal advice offered at the Basalt Library from 2 to 5pm. Call 970-927-4311 or email info@basaltlibrary.org to sign up for a 15-minute appointment.
CODING CLUB
The Aspen Science Center teaches coding for kids at the Carbondale Library at 3:45pm.
BANNED BOOK
The Banned Book Club convenes to discuss “All Boys Aren’t Blue” by journalist George M. Johnson at 5pm at the Basalt Library. A limited number of free copies are at the circulation desk.
SOPRIS SUN PARTY
The Sopris Sun’s Cabin Fever Wine Tasting, the paper’s 15th birthday celebration, kicks off at the RVR Barn at 5pm with small bites from local restaurants, fine wines and a silent auction. Purchase tickets at www.soprissun.com
NATURALIST NIGHT
The Naturalist Nights series continues with “The IdentiFlight Technology: Protecting Sensitive Bird Species from Wind Turbine Collisions” tonight at Hallam Lake at 6pm. More info at www.aspennature.org
CRYSTAL THEATRE
“Ferrari” screens tonight at 7pm and on Saturday at 4:15pm. “American Fiction” opens tomorrow (Friday) at 7pm and continues at 7pm on Saturday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
IMMIGRANT VOICES
English In Action brings back its signature storytelling experience, Immigrant Voices, with six community members sharing their stories tonight at TACAW at 7:30pm. This event is sold out.
STEVE’S
May Erlewine performs at Steve’s Guitars at 8pm. Find tickets at www.stevesguitars.net
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 9
BIKE TO WORK
People across Colorado observe Winter Bike to Work Day by braving the cold and biking to their destinations.
SEED PEACE
Seed Peace at Sunfire Ranch seeks volunteers to help prep the greenhouse from 9am to noon. Contact heatherfroelicher@gmail.com for more info.
COCOA LOVE
The Cocoa Club hosts three evenings of chocolate fondue dipping and Valentine vibes, tonight, tomorrow and, of course, Valentine’s Day, at 6pm. Visit www.pollinatorchocolate.com for more info and to RSVP.
MARTIN SEXTON
Martin Sexton performs at TACAW at 8pm. Tickets at www.tacaw.org
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 10
WINTER YOGA
Kate Mulheron guides “Nourishing Your Winter’s Water: An Earth Ways Yoga Experience” at True Nature at 4pm. More info at www.truenaturehealingarts.com
SO FLY
Roaring Fork Conservancy and Roaring Fork Valley Fly Fishing Club host the Eighth Annual Iron Fly Competition at The Tipsy Trout in Basalt. Competitors are provided with “secret and funky materials” to use in each fly. The youth division (16 and under) starts at 5:30pm. Adults compete beginning at 7pm. For additional details, visit www.roaringfork.org/events
SONGCIRCLE
Sweet Root hosts a community song circle at the Third Street Center at 6pm. Everyone can participate – elders and youth; wise and spirited; native and immigrant; community and culture. “Let us honor each other through the songs we sing. Let the land hear songs intended to honor it! No singing talent is needed!” To RSVP, email info@tcfhf.org
DJ ROMINA
El Dorado hosts Dj Romina for “a blend of warm, eclectic, intimate and nostalgic sounds” from 7 to 10pm.
CONTRA DANCE
Grab your partner and swing! The Wooden Nickel String Band performs live music for an all-ages barn dance at the Carbondale Community School from 7:30 to 10pm. No experience is necessary; a caller will teach the basics at the start.
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 11
CARBONDALE HISTORY
Sue Gray of the Carbondale Historical Society tells the story of entrepreneur William Dinkel at the Carbondale Library at 6pm.
KDNK AT EL DORADO
KDNK DJs spin a variety of jam band and bluegrass tunes at El Dorado from 3 to 6pm.
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 12
IN STITCHES
The In Stitches Knitting Club meets at the Carbondale Library at 1:30pm.
MOVEMENT
Alexandra Jerkunica leads ballet exercises at the Carbondale Library at 4pm. This event is free for adults and teens, 12 and up.
CANDIDATE FORUM
The Basalt Library hosts a forum from 5:30 to 7pm with Democratic candidates for Congressional District 3, State Senate District 5 and State House District 57.
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 13
INTERNET STORAGE
Basalt Library teaches about securely storing sensitive data from 1:30 to 2:30pm.
MEMORY CARE
Sopris Lodge hosts a support group at 3pm on the second Tuesday of every month for families, partners and other caregivers of individuals living with Alzheimer’s and related dementias. To RSVP, call 970-456-6771 or visit www.soprislodge.com/events
GIRLS WHO CODE
Basalt Library partners with Girls Who Code to teach students of all genders the basics of coding at 3:45pm.
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14
SENIOR SOCIAL
Basalt Library hosts a Valentine’s Day Senior Social for ages 60+ with live music, sweet treats and more from 1 to 3pm. Singles and couples alike, all are invited.
SPARK
Students are invited to “build, create, explore, concoct and invent” at the Carbondale Library at 2pm.
WHATLOW?
Children ages 7 and up are welcome to create a special Valentine art project at the Basalt Library from 2:30 to 3:30pm.
POTBELLY PERSPECTIVES
Aspen Center for Environmental Studies continues its Potbelly Perspectives series with “Loving Aspen: Stories from Sandy and Mary Lynn Munro,” two longtime locals, at Hallam Lake at 6pm. More info at www.aspennature.org
SKI FILM
“Groove Requiem: In the Key of Ski,” a Greg Stump film, screens at the Isis Theatre at 7:30pm.
VALENTINE LAUGHS
Comedians Casey James Salengo and Courtney Maginnis perform at TACAW at 8pm. Tickets at www.tacaw.org
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 15
BOOK CLUB
The Third Thursday Book Club meets at the Carbondale Library at 2pm. This month’s book is “The Personal Librarian” by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray.
FAMILY MOVIE NIGHT
Basalt Library hosts a family movie night at 5pm with sweet treats and warm drinks for the whole family. For more info, visit www.basaltlibrary.org
THE CONTENDERS
Steve’s Guitars presents The Contenders performing at 8pm.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 16
MURDER MYSTERY
Basalt Library hosts a Valentine’s Day-themed murder mystery party at 5pm. “Filled with similes, metaphors and word pictures … this mystery will appeal to bibliophiles and music-lovers alike.” Adults and teens are welcome. The doors close at 5:10pm.
AZYEP MOVIE NIGHT
The Andy Zanca Youth Empowerment Program hosts a movie night for kids ages 6 to 12 at the Third Street Center at 5:30pm. To register, visit: www.bit.ly/AZYEPFeb16
DATE NIGHT
The Carbondale Clay Center hosts a Valentine’s Date Night for couples to “get dirty on the potter’s wheel” from 6 to 8:30pm. Details at www.carbondaleclay.org
LOVING SOUNDS
Danielle Klein guides “Unconditional Self Love Sound Journey” at True Nature at 6pm. Register at www.truenaturehealingarts.com
‘ENDGAME’
Thunder River Theatre Company presents Samuel Beckett’s “Endgame,” opening tonight at 7:30pm. The show continues through March 3 with Thursday, Friday and Saturday night showings at 7:30pm and Sunday matinees at 2pm. Tickets at www.thunderrivertheatre.com
‘LIMITLESS’
DanceAspen presents “Limitless” tonight and tomorrow night at 7:30pm at the Wheeler Opera House. Tickets at www.aspenshowtix.com
HEY NOW!
“Able to mesmerize audiences all the way to Redstone,” Hey Now! makes its public debut at Steve’s Guitars at 8pm.
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 17
HUA SHAN QIGONG
Kearns Kelly teaches “Introduction to Hua Shan Taoist Qigong” at True Nature at 10am. Register at www.truenaturehealingarts.com
CHOCOLOVE
Basalt Library teaches about chocolate, cocoa and the environment from 10:30am to 12:30pm with art and a chocolate tasting — of course.
DANCE WORKSHOP
Kevin Yu of Foco Flava teaches the foundations of breakdancing at the Launchpad at 1:15pm. No registration required.
MARCHFOURTH
MarchFourth, a 15-piece, circus-inspired brass band, performs at TACAW at 8pm. Tickets at www.tacaw.org