When Regan Byrd was 8 years old, she wanted to be a lawyer. This came from growing up in Highlands Ranch, a conservative and predominantly white community — 80% of the population identifies as white according to 2023 census data — where Byrd learned to advocate for herself in response to directly experiencing racism. This […]
equity
Posted inEducation
RFSD embarks on journey toward equity and diversity
The quest for equity and diversity has taken center stage in a pivotal moment for the Roaring Fork School District (RFSD). With a student body of 60% Latino students, the district confronts significant challenges in fostering an inclusive educational landscape. A resolution passed at the April 10 Board of Education meeting marks the beginning of […]
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Colorado Extreme sets shining example for diversity, equity and inclusion
Colorado Extreme, a local youth hockey program, has taken the midValley (and beyond) by storm, exceeding expectations on and off of the ice. Specifically, the lack of diversity in hockey is a conversation that’s been percolating nationally, up to the National Hockey League (NHL). And, Colorado Extreme has been sought out for challenging that norm. […]
Posted inNews, Opinion, Uncategorized
Gentrification and property taxes
A home is the most significant investment most people will make in their lifetime and often affords stability and security within one’s community. At the same time, second-home buyers and investors purchasing single-family homes can inflate the housing market, causing prices and property taxes to escalate. When this happens, longtime locals cash in or dig […]
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Equity Speaker Series continues with Assétou Xango
On Nov. 29, MANAUS and The Arts Camps at Willits (TACAW) will host poet Assétou Xango for the fourth installment of their Equity Speakers Series in the Roaring Fork Valley. The Equity Speaker Series is a free, community-facing program that hosts space for experts in the realm of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) to come […]
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TACAW presents ‘good challenges’ with MANAUS equity programming
On July 26, Adriana Alvarez, Ph.D., will present the second installment in the Equity Speaker Series at The Arts Campus at Willits (TACAW). The series is an initiative of MANAUS’ Equity Action Project and, according to the website, “is a seven-week, anti-racism and race equity and inclusion training aimed to forge a region that practices […]
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MANAUS creates sustainable social justice solutions
People have an innate desire to help. Oftentimes, when a community is faced with a challenge, that desire becomes immediate, almost urgent; like a river gaining velocity during a storm, these people gather knowledge — books are read, money is donated and time is volunteered. But how do you keep that momentum going after the […]
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Opening the door to outdoor accessibility
In 2021, over half of all Americans participated in some type of outdoor recreation, according to the Outdoor Industry Association’s (OIA) annual recreation trend report. Although this number has been steadily increasing since the pandemic, the OIA also found that there is a consistent and significant lack of diversity in outdoor recreation, and one reason […]
Posted inLetters, Uncategorized
Letters – Nov. 18, 2021
Equity? Equity. What’s that? Whatever it is, we’d better scramble toward it if we want to be seen as righteous. Stan Badgett Carbondale Thanks from Ascendigo On Oct. 29, Ascendigo Autism Services hosted our second annual Trunk or Treat event, offering a safe and fun environment for Halloween trick-or-treaters, especially those with autism or other […]