Election accuracy
The Garfield County Clerk and Recorder’s Office completed “logic and accuracy testing” (LAT) at the Garfield County Courthouse on Sept. 14 and 15 to ensure the accuracy of ballot scanning and counting. Forty-seven ballot styles were filled out and run through Clear Ballot tabulation equipment. The results were compared to the results of election judges’ hand tallies to determine any discrepancies. The testing was open to the public. For more information on the election, go to garfieldcountyco.gov/clerk-recorder/elections Register to vote at govotecolorado.gov
Ranches, rivers, stories
The Crystal Theatre will host “Ranches, Rivers & the Stories We Tell,” a writing-and-land-focused discussion, from 5 to 6pm on Friday, Sept. 25. Author Robin Johnson, who writes about systems under pressure — the collision of technological ambition, environmental limits and civic institutions — will engage in a conversation with Aspen Valley Land Trust Board President Betina Moreira Infante, discussing “what it takes to write hope into land people actually rely on,” according to Johnson.
Community garden feast
The Carbondale Community Garden threw a potluck on Sept. 12 at Crystal Meadows to celebrate surviving the 2026 gardening season amid the early frost and Colorado’s hottest summer on record. The potluck saw more than 30 gardeners indulge in summer and winter squash, carrots and variations of kale.
Highway 82 lane closure
Highway 82 drivers should expect delays on the north end of the Aspen/Pitkin County Airport (ASE) when heading upvalley as crews build a temporary construction entrance to help reduce traffic impacts during the ASE Airport Modernization Project. One upvalley lane will be closed from 10am to 7pm, Monday through Saturday, until Oct. 10, according to a press release, and drivers should expect less than a five-minute delay. Owl Creek Road will also see alternating one-lane traffic and “brief delays” expected through October. For construction updates, visit aspenairport.com/construction
Science center donations
Donations made to the Aspen Science Center (ASC) through Oct. 9 will be matched for a fundraising goal of $10,000. The Reuben H. Fleet Foundation, which also supports San Diego’s Fleet Science Center, committed $4,000, and an ASC board member contributed $1,000 toward the matching campaign. The campaign highlights declining rates of science education for young students. “According to the most recent National Survey of Science and Mathematics Education, students in kindergarten through third grade receive an average of 18 minutes of science instruction per day, compared with 89 minutes of English language arts and 57 minutes of mathematics — a figure that has declined by roughly 22 percent since 2000,” an ASC press release stated. Donations can be made at aspensciencecenter.org, and should be tagged “18 Minutes Fall 2026 Programs” at checkout to be matched.
Fishing closures lifted
Voluntary fishing closures have been lifted on three northern-Colorado rivers, including the Colorado River flowing through Glenwood Springs. Voluntary fishing closures were lifted on the Colorado River between Red Dirt Creek north of Gypsum and the Highway 13 bridge in Rifle, as well as further upstream between the Windy Gap Dam and the Williams Fork confluence near Parshall. Colorado Parks and Wildlife has also lifted voluntary fishing closures on sections of the Fraser and White rivers, but reminds anglers that voluntary closures remain in place on the Eagle, Crystal, Elk and Yampa rivers due to high water temperatures and low flows.
Fire restrictions lifted
Garfield County and the Town of Carbondale lifted Stage 1 fire restrictions on Wednesday, Sept. 23, citing recent rainfall and cooler temperatures as factors influencing the decision. The town and county still cautioned residents to be careful managing fires. White River National Forest will lift its Stage 1 fire restriction on Friday, Sept. 25.
They say it’s your birthday!
Folks celebrating another trip around the sun this week include: Jon Fox-Rubin (Sept. 24); Taila Howe, Laura Stover and Geneviéve Villamizar (Sept. 25); Martin Calkins, Carolyn Cipperly, Klaus Kocher, Kate Phillips, Kenya Pinela, Matt Rader, Mimi Schlumberger and Leonard Zanni (Sept. 26); Susan Cheney, Kate Comer, Peggy DeVilbiss, Linda Fleming, Renee Ramge, and Jason White (Sept. 27); Madeleine Dameron Dahl, Andrew McMichael, Dave Reed, Kristin Stewart, Grace “Flash” Trevor Gallo and Pam Kaiser Williams (Sept. 28); Steve Jundt (Sept. 30).