Carbondale Public Works held a meeting on March 26 with Crystal River water managers (ranchers and farmers) to begin discussions on the Crystal’s water usage this coming summer. The initiative comes in the wake of record-low snowpack this past winter and anticipated very low flows in the Crystal and Roaring Fork rivers. The gathering, organized […]
ranching
Posted inNonprofits
Staying Sustainable
It’s official! Sustainable Settings is off the market. The 244-acre biodynamic ranch nonprofit was listed back in April of 2022 for over $24 million with the price increasing weekly. It topped out at $33,333,333.33 and is now deemed “priceless.” According to co-founder Brooke LeVan, the sale was always a publicity stunt. When we think of […]
Posted inObituaries
Paul Raymond Nieslanik
January 4, 1935 – September 23, 2025 As the second cutting of hay was being harvested on the ranch, Paul Nieslanik passed away on an autumn evening surrounded by the love of his family at his home in Carbondale. Born in winter on the ranch in Spring Valley to John Sr. and Mary Nieslanik, Paul […]
Posted inNews
Scuttlebutt & Calendar
Fire restrictionsLast week, Garfield and Pitkin counties, along with the White River National Forest and Bureau of Land Management Upper Colorado River District, reduced fire restrictions from stage 2 to stage 1. The Town of Carbondale followed suit. Campfires and smoking are only allowed within designated areas; explosives and fireworks remain prohibited. Space CommandGovernor Jared […]
Posted inColumns
Copper Creek pack devastating local cattle ranchers
By Marj Perry The Copper Creek pack was removed from Grand County for chronic depredation and translocated to Pitkin County — an act going against the Colorado wolf plan. Within a month several heifers were killed on Capitol Creek, presumably by the Copper Creek pack. They have continued to kill calves and been seen in […]
Posted inObituaries
Ardeen L. Arbaney
August 28, 1944 – April 20, 2025 Ardeen L. Arbaney passed away peacefully at her home on April 20, surrounded by the love of her family. She was 80 years old. She was preceded in death by her beloved brother Larry King, her mother Cathrine King and her father Clinton King. Ardeen is survived by […]
Posted inEnvironment
CPW prepares West Slope for impending wolf reintroductions
The first year of official reintroduction of wolves to Colorado has had its ups and downs. The state-managed process is controversial. For years, the topic of facilitating the return of the species has had enthusiastic advocates and staunch opposition. Gray wolves, the species native to the central Rockies, were eradicated by humans by the 1940s […]
Posted inColumns, Opinion, Uncategorized
Ps & Qs: Carbondale’s makeover
Carbondale has good bones. This is part of the problem. The ultra-wealthy have been buying up all the land around, while the rest of us play frogger in traffic all day just trying to pay the bills. And, the worst part, they buy raw land and then give it a mani/pedi … What is with […]
Posted inNews, Uncategorized
CPW to review first draft of wolf management plan
Colorado’s Wolf Restoration and Management Plan to restore gray wolves in the state by the end of 2023 is on track, according to Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW). Meanwhile, back home, local producers are bracing for what the reality may be once the federally endangered species is reintroduced. On Nov. 17, the Keystone Policy Center […]