Wild and Scenic report
A subcommittee chartered by the Crystal Steering Committee, chaired by Pitkin and Gunnison counties and the Town of Marble, released a report detailing why Wild and Scenic designation of the Crystal River is the most promising path to protect “the outstanding value of the river,” news which Carbondale-based nonprofit Wilderness Workshop, a member of the subcommittee, shared on Tuesday, Sept. 8. “The information presented in the report makes clear that Wild and Scenic River designation — which is accomplished through federal legislation — is the best way to permanently protect the Crystal River,” Wilderness Workshop stated in the press release. The report found that Wild and Scenic designation could also be tailored to protect existing uses of the river. To access the report, visit tinyurl.com/Wild-ScenicReport
Bee Friendly
Bee Friendly is partnering with Roaring Fork Outdoor Volunteers for a family-friendly afternoon in one of its gardens. Folks are invited to help out at the Thompson House Pollinator Garden (301 Lewies Lane in Carbondale) and learn about native plants and seed saving along the way, from 3 to 5pm on Wednesday, Sept. 16.
Stage 1
The Town of Carbondale moved to Stage 1 fire restrictions on Wednesday, Sept. 9, following the lead of Garfield County and the White River National Forest, which both made the transition last week. The new fire restrictions prohibit smoking except in an enclosed vehicle or building, in a developed recreation site or in an area clear of vegetation that is at least three-feet in diameter. Stage 1 also restricts campfires to permanent, in-ground fire grates or to store-bought fire pits in developed areas. For the full list of regulations, visit tinyurl.com/stage1firerestrictions2026
Structure fire
The Carbondale & Rural Fire Protection District extinguished a burning barbecue grill, which had caught fire in an outdoor kitchen in the early hours of Sunday, Sept. 6. The fire district responded to the fire, located at 1184 Heritage Drive in Carbondale, at 4:21am. Resident occupants and a cat evacuated the scene safely without injury. “Firefighters had water on the fire in less than three minutes after arriving on scene,” Incident Commander Ashley Buss Greene said in a press release. “Crews did an excellent job quickly containing the fire and preventing it from extending into the home. Their fast, coordinated work, combined with the composite decking material, kept this from becoming a much more serious fire.”
Stepping Stones
Stepping Stones, a local nonprofit empowering and mentoring youth in the Valley, is celebrating the expansion of its full-time services to Glenwood Springs, where it has a new office within the Lutheran Church on Grand Ave. The organization will celebrate the milestone during its fourth annual “Stepping Up for Youth” community party from 5 to 8pm on Sept. 18 at its flagship office, 1010 Garfield Ave. in Carbondale. “For years, families in Glenwood Springs asked us the same question: When are you coming here?” Executive Director Kyle Crawley recalled. Tickets for the event are pay-what-you-can, with a suggested minimum donation of $20. Get yours at SteppingStonesRFV.org/Fundraiser
CPW bear statistics
On Thursday, Sept. 3, Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) released statistics comparing this year’s human-bear conflicts to last year’s. “Given the extraordinary drought and fire year, Colorado Parks and Wildlife staff have been responding to a drastic increase in bear reports from the public,” a press release stated. The state saw 8,672 reports of “bear-related sightings and incidents” between Jan. 1 and Aug. 31, compared to 3,680 reports over the same period in 2025. Ninety-eight bears were relocated through August 2026, compared to 33 in August 2025, and 294 bears were euthanized through August 2026, compared to 83 in August last year.
E-bikes distribution
eBikeThere Garfield County will distribute 40 e-bikes to qualifying residents this fall, continuing a program that has already dispensed 90 e-bikes to county residents in 2023 and 2024, according to a Clean Energy Economy for the Region (CLEER) press release. Beginning Wednesday, Sept. 16, Garfield County residents who are over 18 years old, do not already own an e-bike and have a household income of less than 150% of the county’s Area Median Income can apply for an e-bike. The Urtopia Carbon 1 Step-Thru E-Bikes will be sold to selected applicants at $150; they are valued at $2,499. The application is expected to close at 5pm on Oct. 16. Visit garfieldcleanenergy.org/ebikethere for more information.
They say it’s your birthday!
Folks celebrating another trip around the sun this week include: John Colson, Suzanne Fitzgerald, Brent and Brian Perkins and Aimee Yllanes (Sept. 10); Debbie Crawford, Aaron Garland and Alexa Webster (Sept. 11); Teddy Benge, Anna Jasmine, Paramroop Khalsa, Julie Paxton, Taryn Pearce and Kendall Reiley (Sept. 12); Andy Bohmfalk, Adam Carballeira, Allyn Harvey, Dominique Jackson and Chrissie Leonard (Sept. 13); Jeff Bier, Matt Lang, Megan Miller, Joan Sundeen, Cassidy Willey and Rebecca Young (Sept. 14); Kathryn Camp and Nina Pedersen (Sept. 15); Al Draina, Riley Marshall and Eaden Shantay (Sept. 16).