For many, 2025 was a challenging year. Institutions, identities, entire industries were foundationally rocked. Notably, the list of obituaries was exceptionally long and included many community staples. For months, there were protests nearly every week.
From outer instability, we were challenged to draw on inner strength and the Roaring Fork Valley rose to the occasion. We saw an outpouring of support between neighbors — decrying federal layoffs, backfilling funding gaps for essential social services and, perhaps most poignantly, the successful acquisition of two Valley trailer parks to avoid displacement of those families.
Our little pocket of paradise is not immune from the national strife, and we may have something of an anecdote in community banding together.
January
CRMS alumna Kate Oldham won the 10K freestyle competition in the U.S. Cross-Country Ski Championships in Alaska and went on to represent the U.S. at the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships where she secured three top 20s.
The Carbondale Historical Society hosted a panel of Valley Journal contributors, honoring the legacy left by The Sopris Sun’s predecessor.
Photo by James Steindler
Two middle schoolers felt sick after eating homemade cookies found in the community pantry outside the Carbondale Library — they then tested positive for THC. Measures are now in place to prevent such incidents in the future.
Carbondale’s Downtowner on-demand ride service was approved through 2025, following a successful six-month pilot program.
Local firefighters traveled to California to help combat devastating fires in Los Angeles County.
Carbondalian Patrick Keleher made his television debut in the ABC series “The Rookie” and brought a screening to the Crystal Theatre.
The female bald eagle in Aspen Glen whose mate was hit by a car on Highway 82 found a new companion.
Carbondale completed its Mobility and Access Plan and began updating building codes (approved in April).
Colorado Parks and Wildlife completed the second release of gray wolves, bringing the total number of introduced wolves in the state to 25. Ten of these wolves have since died by “removal,” accidents and natural causes. An unknown number of pups have been born and four packs have formed.
Thunder River Theatre Company hosted the first show in its new Pink to Black concert series.
February
Response opened a shelter for survivors of domestic and sexual abuse.
Many Latino-owned businesses in the area participated in a nationwide “Day Without Immigrants” strike.
The Valley mourned the death of Casey Piscura, a young farmer from Virginia who left an indelible mark on the Valley with his business Wild Mountain Seeds and nonprofit Seed Peace. Friends at Sunfire Ranch rallied to carry his farming legacy on, with family repurposing Seed Peace to offer much-needed health support to farmers.
Carbondale Town Manager Lauren Gister announced her plans to retire.
Garfield County Sheriff Lou Vallario and Carbondale Police Chief Kirk Wilson each clarified their policies regarding assisting ICE. “I work with ALL law enforcement agencies, from local to international, to the degree I legally can,” stated Vallario, noting that state law restricts local police from enforcing federal immigration law. Wilson outlined his department’s commitment to uphold the Town’s 2017 Resolution 10 supporting immigrants. “We enforce state laws fairly and without bias, and we do not ask about immigration status when responding to calls for help, speaking with witnesses or interacting with the public,” Wilson stated.
The Mind Springs board of directors decided not to move forward with a proposed mental healthcare contract with ICE.
Lift-Up responded to rising demands, declining donations and leadership gaps by narrowing its focus on food distribution and appealing to the community for help.
The Trump administration eliminated more than 3,400 Forest Service jobs, including 140 in Colorado. Former White River Forest supervisor Scott Fitzwilliams resigned from his position after 15 years, accepting an offer to retain pay and benefits through Sept. 30. Deputy supervisor Heather Noel accepted the same.
Indivisible groups hosted a town hall for Congressman Jeff Hurd which he declined to attend.
The Aspen Skiers celebrated two state ski championship wins on home terrain.
The Red Hill Council installed a “Muddy Meter” for users to communicate trail conditions and together mitigate erosion.
The Glenwood Springs Withdrawal Management Facility, managed by Mind Springs Health, closed its doors after nine months of operation. The closure was attributed to a funding shortfall and surprise federal regulations.
Aspen Valley Land Trust completed the purchase of Three Meadows Ranch with Pitkin and Eagle counties, conserving 4,251 acres of wildlife habitat along Cottonwood Pass in Missouri Heights.
March
Cook Inclusive opened a Queer Resource Space in New Castle where LGBTQ+ individuals could find support and connection. It closed a few months later along with Cook Inclusive concluding.
The Colorado Rocky Mountain School boys climbing team won a state championship.
Roaring Fork High School celebrated their first league basketball title in 12 years with the boys going undefeated in their league. The formidable girls team completed their regular season second only to Cedaredge.
Carbondale Arts presented “Camera Obscura” — it’s 14th take on the annual fashion show.
Agaricus julius was crowned the state mushroom.
Spring Gulch closed for the season following a weekend of unprecedented vandalism with vehicles driving on the trails and a melted porta-potty.
Honey Butter closed shop at 155 Highway 133 with a final blow-out brunch, making way for the new 502 Diner.
The Wheeler Opera House expanded its audience by welcoming an all Spanish-language comedy show.
More than 100 people protested federal layoffs outside the White River National Forest Supervisor’s Office in Glenwood Springs.
Educators across the state took a stand, calling for funding protection and protesting additional cuts to statewide education funding.
It was announced that two mobile home parks were on the market for a combined $42 million — Mountain Valley and Aspen-Basalt. Thanks to the community rallying, and over $12 million in local government contributions, the parks were successfully acquired and converted to resident-owned.
April
The Sopris Sun welcomed political analyst Ken Rudin for the first of a new speaker series in partnership with TACAW.
The national defunding of public media threw KDNK, Aspen Public Radio and other community-driven radio stations in the lurch. Listeners have since risen to the occasion to keep these resources operating.
Glenwood Springs launched its own Downtowner microtransit service, joining Basalt and Carbondale, with the difference of a $1 fee per ride (as opposed to free).
The Town of Basalt received a 2025 Downtown Colorado Excellence Award for its Midland Streetscape project.
Governor Jared Polis vetoed a bill that sought to require social media platforms to cooperate more readily with law enforcement and remove accounts engaging in illegal activity. He also signed the Protecting the Freedom to Marry Act that repealed statutory language that marriage is between a man and a woman.
May
An anonymous poet initiated a monthly First Friday treasure hunt with big prizes and clues published inside The Sopris Sun.
The Village Smithy celebrated its 50th anniversary with a lively Cinco de Mayo party.
After 53 days and 3,000 miles, Carbondale resident Dan Blake completed a transcontinental ride to benefit Stroke Onward, a nonprofit that supports stroke survivors.
On May 1, Roaring Fork Conservancy reported that snowpack was quite below average, at 57% of normal. A week later, snowpack had fallen to 38% of normal.
Garfield County property values (and subsequent taxes) increased about 15% on average, with some properties seeing a 25% jump.
The second phase of the Valley Journal digitization project was completed thanks to the Carbondale Branch Library. Over 900 issues, from June 11, 1975 to Oct. 15, 1992, are now fully searchable at the Colorado Historic Newspapers Collection website.
After extensive debate, Basalt Town Council established a $2,532 per-bedroom annual fee for short-term rental operators.
Roaring Fork Outdoor Volunteers celebrated its 30th anniversary, championing a culture of stewardship benefitting recreational lands in the region.
Riverview School opened a new nine-hole disc golf course designed by 7th and 8th grade students.
The U.S. Treasury Department announced the end of penny production.
Keegan Oldani set a new record for Independence Run & Hike’s Mt. Sopris Run-Off 25K race in the men’s division. For the women, Ariel Rittenhouse defended her title and bested her own course record. In the 10-mile race, Brett Wachtendorf set a new record. Also setting a new course record, Cameron Mackenzie won the women’s race. For every race entry, $30 was donated to Roaring Fork Outdoor Volunteers, totaling $4,800.
The Sopris Sun congratulated Youth News Bureau graduates Yesenia Benavides Burgos, Gus Richardson and Isaac Sterling.
June
The CoWest Noticias Collaborative — made up of the Aspen Daily News, Aspen Public Radio, The Aspen Times, KDNK, the Post Independent, Sopris Sun/Sol del Valle and Radio La Tricolor — brought the community together at Morgridge Commons in Glenwood Springs to hear Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser address challenges facing the Western Slope.
Community members banded together to revive the Roaring Fork High School biodome and surrounding gardens.
The Carbondale Beautification Club began a number of restoration, landscaping and cleanup projects around town led by volunteer extraordinaire Jeff Basler.
A settlement agreement signed by the Rock Creek Association ensured non-motorized public access to Filoha Meadows Nature Preserve.
Local band Typical Ghost celebrated their debut album launch with a party at KDNK.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture rescinded the 2001 Roadless Rule, stating the “outdated” rule impedes the ability of the Forest Service to responsibly manage forests and grasslands. According to Wilderness Workshop, the rollback of this rule “poses a significant threat to the Thompson Divide and numerous other beloved public lands across Colorado and the West.”
Ryan Hyland was announced as the Town of Carbondale’s next town manager.
By late June, rivers reached peak flows and fire restrictions were instated.
English in Action celebrated the opening of its new Center for Communication in El Jebel, following a successful $5.5 million fundraising campaign.
The Sopris Sun’s Spanish-language sister paper, Sol del Valle, celebrated its four-year anniversary at the Glenwood Springs Library.
July
The Crystal Theatre Alliance publicly announced its formation as a nonprofit and its intent to preserve and sustain Carbondale’s beloved movie theater for years to come.
Ahead of his passing, late metal sculptor William “Bill” Morrow donated a few of his prized pieces to the Town of Carbondale (“The Insane-A-Cycle”), KDNK Radio (“Flight” and “Butterfly & Lily”) and The Sopris Sun (“Molecular Inquisition”).
Founder of Carbondale’s Rotary International chapter and beloved KDNK DJ Art Ackerman celebrated his 100th birthday with friends and family at the Third Street Center. He passed away with a full heart later in the month.
The Redstone Historical Society purchased an Osgood-era cottage from the Durrett Cousins that will eventually serve as its new museum space.
Roaring Fork High School junior Mali Sparhawk returned from a five-month stint in the U.S. Senate Page Program, having gained first-hand experience on Capitol Hill.
Public Works installed temporary traffic features throughout Carbondale and asked the community for feedback to help gauge future streetscape projects.
The Garfield County Commissioners enacted a hiring freeze for administrative staff due to a $9 million property tax shortfall.
The Town of Carbondale approved an 11-unit lodging complex at 888 Main Street, where an old log cabin had recently been demolished.
Pitkin County presented plans to the Crystal River Caucus concerning the replacement of the south bridge leading into Redstone. Demolition was set to begin in March of 2026.
Carbondale and beyond celebrated the 54th annual Mountain Fair. This year’s stage included a giant moving skeleton animated with AI assistance.
August
A worrisome wildfire season began with the Coulter Creek Fire spreading quickly on Missouri Heights and prompting evacuations. It was quickly contained, however, by the Carbondale & Rural Fire Protection District, which speculated that lightning was likely the cause.
John Emerick of Redstone was appointed to the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission, filling the at-large position.
The Town of Carbondale approved installation of a pedestrian crossing on Highway 133, prompting a detour through the City Market parking lot. The detour, which caused some frustration, was short-lived and the highway was reopened quicker than anticipated.
The Garfield County Public Library District Board of Trustees tabled a motion to introduce age-restricted library cards.
The 34-unit Benedict Apartments building, named in honor of Fritz and Fabienne “Fabi” Benedict, opened as affordable housing for seniors in Glenwood Springs.
Basalt Town Council approved Jadwin Park, LLC’s amended application for a proposed development consisting of 64 residential units, half deed-restricted, and 12 lodging cabins.
Sopris Lodge hosted its inaugural Senior Prom, not for high school seniors but esteemed elders.
Clean Energy Economy for the Region launched Two Rivers Connect, an app that rewards commuters for carpooling, bicycling, walking and using public transportation.
The Sopris Sun brought home 20 awards from the annual Colorado Press Association Convention, a record for the Carbondale newsroom.
September
Neurobloom, a psilocybin-assisted healing center, opened in Basalt.
Crystal River Elementary School students formed the shape of a Ram captured with an aerial photograph by Daniel Dancer of Art for the Sky, a photographer and a climate change activist. Dancer included the number 427 in the frame, reflecting the parts-per-million carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere at the time.
Becky Oliver assumed the principalship at Carbondale Community School.
Glenwood City Council narrowly approved applying a toll for the planned South Bridge project to deter commuters from using the future bridge as a Highway 82 bypass, but later in the month voted to reconsider at a later date due to warnings the toll could jeopardize a $50 million federal grant for the project. The council reversed the decision in October.
Roaring Fork School District state testing scores improved overall for 2024-2025, but a significant achievement gap remained for English-language learners.
Around 100 people gathered in Sayre Park in Glenwood Springs to mourn the loss of conservative icon Charlie Kirk.
October
RFTA launched its Zero-Fare October & November initiative, inviting commuters to utilize the majority of its services free of charge.
Sopris Sun cartoonist Larry Day’s solo exhibition, “Ha Ha Ha,” opened at The Art Base.
Carbondale hosted the 116th annual Potato Days, themed “The Grate Spudsby” — a nod to the 100th anniversary of “The Great Gatsby” novel. A share of the proceeds went to Seed Peace – Casey’s Fund Supporting Farmers, a nonprofit supporting farmers’ mental and physical wellbeing.
Latino business owners and guests gathered at the Hotel Colorado to recognize standout entrepreneurs during Hispanic Heritage Month.
KDNK’s Amy Hadden Marsh interviewed National Public Radio correspondent Kirk Siegler at the Crystal Theatre, with event proceeds benefiting the local radio station’s newsroom.
The Rotary Club of Carbondale held the “Bike for Bikes” bike-a-thon on the lower Rio Grande Trail, raising funds to purchase bicycles for health care workers combating malaria in east-central Africa.
Basalt Middle School students who participated in a semester-long Watershed Pen Pals program informed their town council of correspondences with Front Range students about the impacts of excess water consumption.
An estimated 4,000 protesters turned out for a “No Kings” rally in Glenwood Springs.
Spring Valley Holdings, LLC withdrew its PUD amendment and rezoning application for its proposed Spring Valley Ranch development.
The Youth News Bureau, a team of high school reporters guided by Sopris Sun staff, printed the first issue of The Sopris Stars, a special insert that can be found within the newspaper on the last Thursday of each month during the school year.
The Roaring Fork Rams soccer team advanced to the second round of 3A state playoffs, but bowed out after a loss to No. 1 seed Colorado Academy.
Ranchers herded their cattle home after a summer of grazing in the high country.
November
The Cattle Creek Confluence Coalition held a public meeting regarding the proposed Harvest Roaring Fork development — which would include 1,500 residential units, 450 accessory dwelling units, 55,000 square feet of commercial space and a 120-room hotel — and the impacts this would have on wildlife and the Valley as a whole.
Regional voters elected Tammy Nimmo and incumbent Kathryn Kuhlenberg to serve on the RE-1 Board of Directors. Voters approved the formation of a special taxing district for early childhood education, Carbondale & Rural Fire Protection District’s proposed 1.5% sales tax and $30 million bond, Colorado Mountain College’s measure to set its mill levy above the state property tax limit, Basalt Library’s renewed mill levy and the Town of Basalt’s proposal to increase lodging taxes to help fund affordable housing.
Dos Gringos celebrated a quarter century of serving up delicious burritos and gourmet coffee.
The Valley rallied to support food-insecure families in the wake of a federal SNAP benefits pause, setting up food drives to fill local Lift-Up pantries.
Entrepreneur Stephen Shapiro launched an online community hub for civil discourse, Mountain Perspectives, in partnership with The Sopris Sun.
With longtime Executive Director Francisco “Paco” Nevarez-Burgueño set to retire, Baile Folklórico awed audiences with its final Día De los Muertos performance in Carbondale.
The Art Base in Basalt paid off its mortgage following a successful fundraising campaign.
After a few years on the market, Sustainable Settings founder Brooke LeVan announced the biodynamic nonprofit is here to stay and that the listing was a publicity stunt.
Youth-led theater company Upstage Productions opened its second show, “The 39 Steps,” at Roaring Fork High School.
Crystal River residents spoke in favor of and against Treasure Mountain Ranch, Inc.’s proposed development at the Town of Crystal, including a new 4,900-square-foot maintenance barn and four new cabins totaling approximately 5,000 square feet.
Sunlight Mountain Resort finished replacing its Segundo and Primo chairlifts ahead of opening day.
Crews tackled substantial wildfire mitigation work on Basalt Mountain.
December
The lady Rams basketball team won the annual Brenda Patch Tournament.
The Basalt Police Department shared how it’s using AI to help with paperwork, providing more time for policing.
Roaring Fork High School junior Grace Freeman and her 17-year-old horse, John Henry, competed in the Junior National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas.
Upon approving its 2026 budget, the Town of Carbondale also pledged $500,000 toward Cavern Springs Mobile Home Park residents’ bid to purchase the land beneath their homes.
The Garfield County Commissioners interviewed 12 candidates vying for three seats on the library board of trustees. The library board later recommended appointing Gregorio Rios (Rifle), Lynda Prendergast (Parachute) and Brit McLin (New Castle). The commissioners are set to announce the selectees on Jan. 5.
The Jesus Saves Homeless Day Shelter opened in the basement of the Glenwood Springs Catholic Charities church, where Feed My Sheep formerly operated a similar program.
The Sopris Sun board of directors passed an editorial policy limiting AI use to research and basic design applications, upholding a soulful standard for human creativity.
In remembrance of …
Frances Mikel Raley, Casey James Piscura, Mark Johnson, Terry Swanton, John Edward Collins, Wendy Jan Bogner, Carol Shure, Etta Louise Holgate, Ardeen L. Arbaney, John Seidel, Judy Merritt Pratt Welch, Richard Kirk, Jerry Duckowitz, Michael Tyree Bouchet, Matthew Cox, Lois Vagnuer, Ronald Neil Jones, Jerry English, Steven Gonzalez, Johnny Weiss, Arthur Waldron Ackerman Jr., Kristin Lawrence, Nancy Jeremy Davis Kish, Denise O’Connor, Sharill Hawkins, Phillip Dean Maynard, Lisa Kent Reinhardt Cerise, Deborah Ratiu Bannon, Mary Strang, Ernest Gianinetti, Mark Otto Hockmeyer, George Salem Abraham, Paul Limbach, Thomas H. Bailey, Paul Raymond Nieslanik, William Montague Ferry Jr., Renata Scheder-Bieschin, Joy E. Wilker, James Doenges, Ciarra Bristol, J. Robert Young, Stephen Clement Diemoz.
This list was derived from obituaries submitted to The Sopris Sun in 2025. We print obituaries under 500 words for people with local connections for free. Just send a photo and text document to news@soprissun.com