Sopris Stars costume contest
The Sopris Stars Youth News Bureau is back in the office and working on their first issue, slated as an insert in the Oct. 29 issue of The Sopris Sun. Being the Halloween edition, The Stars are inviting all school-aged readers to participate in a costume contest. Submitted photos can be sent to youthnews@soprissun.com by Monday, Oct. 26, for consideration and the chance to be featured in the first Sopris Stars printing of the school year.
Ditches off
Town of Carbondale ditches will be turned off starting Oct. 15, and folks are advised to remove their pumps prior to that time. Utility crews will be working on ditch maintenance throughout the fall, according to a press release, to remove sediment and repair banks. Questions? Email ditches@carbondaleco.net
New SRO
Carbondale Police Department officer Cameron Herrera has been selected as the incoming school resource officer for the Carbondale schools, the Town announced on Thursday, Oct. 1 in a press release. Once he completes the required training — “to further equip him with the skills and knowledge needed to foster a safe, supportive and welcoming environment for students, staff and families,” the press release stated — Herrera will begin his new role. Herrera has been a patrol officer with CPD for six years. “I look forward to meeting and learning about everyone and becoming part of your school community,” Herrera said.
Lethal removal on hold
Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) is rethinking how it manages gray wolves in the state. Agency management tools have included the option to kill, or lethally remove, wolves who kill three or more stock animals within 30 days. Since April, CPW has lethally removed five such wolves. Public outcry, concerns about gray wolf population growth and the success of the state’s three-year-old wolf reintroduction program have given the agency pause to revise the chronic depredation directives. Therefore, CPW will suspend lethal removal until March 31, 2027. The agency plans to work with livestock producers on nonlethal wolf management methods, applications for permits to kill a wolf caught in the act of killing livestock and two wolf-related petitions in front of the CPW Commission. The agency said it will extend the range-riding season this year and explore options for further wolf translocations.
Planned Parenthood
After a two-month hiatus for in-person services, Planned Parenthood in West Glenwood was scheduled to reopen on Monday, Oct. 5, according to a report from Aspen Public Radio on Oct. 1. As reported in The Sun in early August, the center closed temporarily after its former provider gave notice and to accommodate a training period for a new provider. According to the APR story, Planned Parenthood did not release the name of the new provider, but relayed that they are “from the Western Slope and previously worked for Planned Parenthood.”
Kids First
The City of Aspen and Kids First application period for childcare assistance, meant for families living within the Aspen Urban Growth Boundary or for parents working for an employer with an address within the boundary, is open through Nov. 1. Eligible families must also have a child in a participating Pitkin County-based childcare program and qualify financially. Assistance will begin on Dec. 1. For more information or to apply, visit aspen.gov/316/Financial-Aid.
Leaf drops
The Town of Basalt is hosting a leaf drop off for its residents every Saturday, Oct. 10 through Nov. 7, from 9am to 3pm at the Public Works lot at 20536 Highway 82 (where Umbrella Roofing used to be, near the intersection of East Valley Road and Highway 82). Basalt residents can drop off small yard waste items, such as tree limbs, but only during the designated times. For details, visit tinyurl.com/BasaltLeafDrop Glenwood residents can drop off bagged fallen leaves at the old rodeo grounds, adjacent to the airport on Airport Road, Oct. 12 through Nov. 23. The Glenwood location does not accept other yard waste, including branches and rocks. For details, visit gwsco.info/yardwaste
Habitat volunteers
Habitat for Humanity Roaring Fork Valley is looking for two people with experience in interior trim carpentry to contribute 20 to 40 volunteer hours over the next two to three weeks at The Confluence, an affordable, six-unit housing build in Glenwood Springs at the intersection of Midland Avenue and 8th Street, built in partnership between Habitat and home-builders Vederra Modular. Habitat is also looking for painting, caulking and cleaning volunteers. Reach out to Kourtni Wilmes, kourtniw@habitatroaringfork.org, to learn more about the volunteering opportunities.
They say it’s your birthday!
Folks celebrating another trip around the sun this week include: Jody Ensign, Lani Kitching and Bo Persiko (Oct. 8); Sarah Graf and Melissa Nelson (Oct. 9); Charlotte Vanderhurst (Oct. 10); Brittany Biebl and Jake Kinney (Oct. 11); Rick Borkovec, Stephanie Deaton, Linda Giesecke and Paul Luttrell (Oct. 12); Janice Forbes and Bryce Pizano (Oct. 13); Michael Carter, Kay Clarke, Carrie Close, Gabrielle Greeves and Hannah Ross (Oct. 14).