Libraries director
The Garfield County Public Library District is inviting the community to meet the finalists applying to be the district’s next executive director. The public meet and greet will be held from 5:30 to 7pm, May 28, at the Rifle Library. The finalists are Karen Horner, library director at the Park County Library System in Wyoming, and Abraham Korah, branch manager of the Glenwood Springs Library. “The event offers patrons, residents and stakeholders an opportunity to meet the candidates, learn more about their backgrounds and leadership experience and engage with them in an informal setting,” a press release stated.
Rockfall mitigation
The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) last week finished the installation of 117,000 square feet of metal mesh on the side of the Red Hill to mitigate rockfall. The project began on May 5, 2025, targeting the hillside east of the Highway 82 and 133 intersection and, along with the installation of metal mesh, included work to remove loose rocks and clean culverts. “The completion of the Red Hill rockfall mitigation project, in this area with a history of rockslides and traffic impacts caused by falling rocks and debris, represents CDOT’s continued commitment to keeping our communities safe on our mountain highways,” CDOT Executive Director Shoshana Lew said in a press release.
Nordie New Year
In a newsletter, the Mount Sopris Nordic Council announced that the recent “Nordie New Year” — “the close of one season and the hopeful anticipation of the next” — on May 1 marked 40 years of cross country skiing at Spring Gulch. “While we’re incredibly proud of the advances we’ve made over the last few years, we’re equally grateful for the chance to reflect on our humble beginnings, celebrate the partnerships and volunteer spirit that have shaped this place and recommit to the community-focused mission established by our founders in 1986,” the newsletter stated.
Coroner’s report
Following a report last week from Garfield County Sheriff’s Office that a man died of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound during a traffic stop on West 6th Street in Glenwood Springs, the coroner’s office has identified the deceased as Shawn Krause, a 59-year-old male from Keystone. “Mr. Krause was visiting the Glenwood Springs area at the time of his death,” Garfield County Coroner Robert Glassmire wrote in an email. Krause was pronounced dead at the scene on May 5.
Smiling Goat Ranch
Smiling Goat Ranch, a local nonprofit that fosters well being through horse-human connection, was selected to participate in the fifth annual Horses for Mental Health Campaign (HMHC), a global effort that supports such organizations. Smiling Goat Ranch was also featured in one of HMHC’s award-winning videos that premiered on Mother’s Day, “highlighting how horses are transforming mental health care,” according to a press release. To view the video, visit tinyurl.com/SmilingGoatRanch To contribute to the campaign, visit tinyurl.com/HMHCSmilingGoat
Beer week
Folks are showing their support for your local breweries during American Craft Beer Week, May 11-17. Colorado’s beer industry supports over 61,000 jobs in the state, according to Beer Serves America. “While Colorado’s Breweries are facing some major headwinds, we need support from our local communities to continue to create local jobs in this homegrown industry,” Colorado Brewers Guild Executive Director Shawnee Adelson said in a press release. “We hope you visit a local brewery, brewpub or taproom this week to help these businesses survive.”
Horse disease
A horse in Montezuma County contracted vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV), a disease spread through insects that causes blister-like sores and fever. Two other horses in the county are showing clinical signs of the disease, according to a press release from the Colorado Department of Agriculture. “While it is rare, VSV can be transmitted to people and can cause a flu-like illness and rarely blister-like sores,” a press release stated. “Currently, there are no human cases, and the risk to the general public is very low.” The department advises equine and livestock owners to monitor their animals and report any suspected cases to a veterinarian.
They say it’s your birthday!
Debbi Fadli, Paige Gibbons, Doc Philip and Steve Standiford (May 14); Jenny Cutright, Lindsay Dudycha, Kellie Land, Jonelle Luther, Greg Masse, Feénagh O’Donnell, Morgan Williams and Ana Vega Terrazas (May 15); Bartlett, Cynthia Butterfield, Aaron Luttrell and Fred Pulver (May 16); Terrie Geddes, Lisa Johnson and Steven Quint (May 17); Willa Bonzi, Mike Cassetty, Bonnie Earl and Gretchen Hofmann (May 18); Peter Frey (May 19); Eloise Clark, Jenny Garcia and Daniel Self (May 20).