Some question timing as company announces near bankruptcy

By Adam Broderick

At the same time that some of the country’s largest coal companies are filing for bankruptcy, the Forest Service is again proposing that protected Roadless Areas in the North Fork Valley be opened for mining exploration. That has some environmental groups skeptical of the proposal’s timing.

Arch Coal, the second largest coal company in the country, is currently $5 billion in debt and operates West Elk Mine near the towns of Somerset and Paonia. There are indications the company is on the verge of filing for bankruptcy protection. In its most recent quarterly report, the company wrote that many coal companies, including Arch, have been consistently reporting negative cash flow and, due to current market conditions, expect to continue to report losses for the foreseeable future.

Should Arch Coal go bankrupt and operations at the Somerset mine discontinue, Gunnison County would no longer collect taxes or royalties from the mine. According to the Gunnison County Treasurer’s Office, that would be a multi-million dollar hit for the county.

The U.S. Forest Service (USFS) released a statement last week addressing the impacts of coal mining and the amount of potential damage coal mining could do in the North Fork Valley – $12 billion, including negative impacts to the environment (up to 43.2 million metric tons of annual greenhouse gases), agricultural business, and human health, among other impacts.

In addition to addressing the potential damage, the USFS proposed reinstating a loophole in the Colorado Roadless Rule that would allow Arch Coal to begin scraping roads for coal and uncovering well pads for methane gas on approximately 19,700 acres of public land in and around the Sunset Roadless Area of the Gunnison National Forest.

The Colorado Roadless Rule, which was established in 2012 to conserve and manage roadless lands on more than four million acres of National Forest lands in Colorado, included the loophole for coal mining in the North Fork Valley. In 2013, conservation groups sued the USFS for what they called illegal actions on behalf of the agency, arguing that the agency neglected to address the potential economic impacts related to climate change due to carbon releases associated with burning the coal.

In 2014, a federal judge ruled in favor of the conservation groups and the loophole was vacated. This year, the USFS addressed those potential impacts in a draft supplemental environmental impact statement (DSEIS).

According to the DSEIS, which addresses potential economic and environmental impacts and explains Arch Coal’s objectives in the Roadless Areas, “Changes in gross production and consumption of coal from the North Fork Coal Mining Area are expected to have an effect on production and consumption of other fuel sources, including alternative supplies of coal, natural gas, and other energy supplies such as renewables…Total carbon dioxide emissions is estimated to increase by 131 million tons…”

High Country News wrote on November 21 that in the past, the government and industry have argued that if this coal isn’t mined, coal from another mine will just replace it and the climate change impacts will be equivalent. “The agency’s analysis estimates that in fact that’s not the case: 131 million metric tons more climate change pollution could be released than if the mining didn’t happen and other fuels for electricity were used,” HCN wrote.

Alli Melton, Public Lands Director for High Country Conservation Advocates (HCCA), told the Crested Butte News that although she’s not certain Arch’s financial position was at play, it seems suspicious the USFS proposal came in shortly after news broke about Arch Coal’s financial position.

Lawrence Lujan, acting media officer for the Forest Service, told the News that he has also heard about the “bailout” suspicion. But he maintains that the proposal to reinstate the North Fork coal mining exception is not to benefit any specific mining company. “It is to address a state-specific concern of not foreclosing coal mining operations within roadless areas in the North Fork Valley and in doing so we recognize the contribution that coal mining has to providing stability to local economies,” Lujan said.

Melton says this is the first time the USFS is really engaging in this type of environmental and economic analysis. “[Gunnison County] wrote in a scoping letter [to the Forest Service] that if the exemption to the Colorado Roadless Rule were to take effect then there needed to be proper accountability, so at least if the Forest Service is looking to reinstate [this exemption to the Roadless Rule] they need to first admit the full cost,” she said.

Gunnison County Manager Matthew Birnie confirmed that the county receives royalty money from mine operations. He said in an email that the county gets both property taxes and direct distribution of energy related taxes and royalties (severance and Federal Mineral Lease), so the continuation of that mine would result in a continuation of those revenues. Debbie Dunbar, Gunnison County Treasurer, reports Arch Coal paid the county more than $2.7 million in property taxes in 2014.

Kathy Welt of Arch Coal told the News on Wednesday, November 25, that even if the company did file for bankruptcy, business should continue at West Elk Mine. “That is our most profitable mine. We wouldn’t cease operations at sites that still work for us,” she said. “As long as we have places to sell the coal, we’re confident that operations [at West Elk Mine] will continue.”

Melton says one thing HCCA has pushed Gunnison County to do is to be leaders on the topic. “When you look at Arch Coal, the West Elk Mine is one of their only arguably profitable mines. Having the Forest Service bending over to reopen these areas is seen as an asset to [the county]. What is the full cost of this? In the long term, the monetary value does not move communities toward a more stable place. Right now we have the luxury to have our county and state leaders figure out how we can transition away from this extractive boom-bust cycle. That would create a net benefit for our climate as well as our communities,” she said over the phone Monday.

According to the USFS, coal from the West Elk Mine meets the definition of compliant and super-compliant coal reserves in accordance with the Clean Air Act. The coal has a high energy value, low sulphur, ash and mercury content, and is desirable for use in the generation of electricity.

The recent shift from coal to natural gas and renewable energy sources is affecting jobs worldwide, and companies in the western U.S. are getting hit hard. Coal now produces 37 percent of electricity in the United States, down from almost 50 percent in 2009. Federal data shows that since 2010 the number of jobs in the coal industry has dropped roughly 20 percent to fewer than 70,000, and that figure is only expected to decrease.

In October 2014 the Bowie No. 2 mine near Paonia laid off 150 employees due to lack of demand for coal, and this past October laid off nearly 100 more employees.

“These are undoubtedly difficult, if not unprecedented, times for the coal sector,” says Glen Kellow, CEO of Peabody Energy, the world’s largest coal company.

The Forest Service will accept comments on both the proposed rule and the DSEIS until January 4, 2016. A decision on the matter is expected by summer of 2016. This past spring, more than 100,000 of the submitted public comments opposed the proposed loophole that would allow bulldozing for coal and methane extraction.

Submit comments electronically at go.usa.gov/3JQwJ, or send written comments to: Colorado Roadless Rule, 740 Simms Street, Golden, CO 80401.

An open house for information sharing is scheduled for December 7, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at Paonia Town Hall, 214 Grand Avenue, Paonia, CO 81428. Another open house is scheduled for December 9 at the USFS regional office in Golden. The DSEIS is available for review at www.fs.usda.gov/goto/coroadlessrule.

by Drew Holbrook

SKI free through Sunday, November 22

We are offering free skiing on Ruthie’s Run on the Bench until Sunday, November 22. Ruthie’s Run leaves right from the Nordic Center, in town at Second and Whiterock. The trail is a 5-kilometer loop that is homologated by the International Ski Federation (FIS), meaning that it meets width, profile, and other standard requirements. What it means for you: The trail can be groomed with very little snow and is wide and flat cambered with many rolling climbs and descents, offering exceptional early season ski terrain.

Grooming update

Right now we are playing musical ski venues between Lily Lake and Ruthie’s Run on the Bench. We need a significant dump in order to leave Lily Lake and focus all of our energy on Ruthie’s and the other trails around town. For daily updates, see the trail report at cbnordic.org.

Lily Lake parking notice

Thank you for listening! It seems that most, if not all skiers are parking in the right place! Due to safety concerns, the county is requesting that all Lily Lake users park at the Irwin Y and not on Kebler Road. Crested Butte Nordic is providing a groomed trail heading out from the Y to access the climb to the Lily Lake trail system. Please remember that Irwin residents also use the parking area at the Y, so please park accordingly. Lily Lake is located on Kebler Pass, six miles west of town in national forest. The venue is groomed by Crested Butte Nordic for cross country skiing and snowshoeing and is free for the public to use. Lily Lake is across the road from Irwin, Colo., which receives as much snow as anywhere in the state, with an average of 600 inches of annual snowfall.

Events:

Grand Traverse Triple Crown registration opens December 1

Registration for the Grand Traverse Triple Crown opens at midnight on Tuesday, December 1. The Triple Crown includes three separate races: Ski, Bike, and Run. Register for the entire Triple Crown or just for an event or two. Remember, the Ski tends to sell out within hours.

The Grand Traverse Skimo Academy, December 18-20

The Grand Traverse is partnering with Griggs Orthopedics–gO Performance to present the Grand Traverse SkiMo Academy in Crested Butte, December 18-20, 2015.

This three-day training camp will include instruction from elite Grand Traverse winners, U.S. National Skimo Team members, in addition to Dynafit Ambassadors and Griggs Orthopedics-gO athletes. Each day will provide a variety of skills and techniques, including race training programs, nutrition and injury prevention education, and an introduction to the newest cutting-edge gear in ski mountaineering. Add in a weekend of touring in the breathtaking surroundings of the Elk Mountains and you’ve got a recipe for kicking off an incredible winter of fitness and fun!

The Crested Butte Nordic Thanksgiving Camp, November 26-29, 2015

Enjoy some of the best early season Nordic skiing in the country at our Thanksgiving Camp. Featuring ski clinics for all ability levels, wax clinics, a free kids camp, transportation to and from the venues, yoga, Pilates, the first Alley Loop Points Series Race, our Winter Kick Off Party, and more. Sign up for activities or just come out and enjoy some of the best early season skiing in the country.

The Magic Meadows Yurt Dinner Experience

This year, Yurt Dinners will be transformed into an all-inclusive backcountry dining experience. The Magic Meadows Yurt Dinner Experience will include trail passes, equipment rentals, guides, a five-course meal, live music, and libations. Discounted Yurt Dinner Experiences are available to Crested Butte Nordic pass-holders. Dinners are already filling up, so book yours soon.

Programs:

The Master’s Training Group is back at it

It’s always easier to do the fast technical workouts when others are doing them with us! Join coaches Murray Banks and Molly Susla and other ski racing enthusiasts for speed and endurance skiing twice weekly throughout the winter.

Each session will have two groups for you to choose from—a faster, more technically advanced group and a more moderate group. Once a week there will be a third group doing only fast intervals. All abilities are welcome, but the emphasis will be on improving technique and fitness to ski faster. We meet Tuesday and Thursday, 12:15 to 1:30 p.m. with a few “bonus” workouts on weekends. Trailhead meeting spot changes each session for variety and best conditions. Weekly updates are emailed Sunday evenings. To be included on the Masters Training Group list, email murray@murraybanks.com.

Location and technique style will vary each week contingent on weather, snow conditions and upcoming events. We’ll check the weather and grooming forecast each Sunday to create the workouts: colder days will be classic to make waxing easier; warmer days skate for speed; windy, cold days will be on the bench to stay in the trees; downhill focus on the Rec path; transition and long intervals in the Magic Meadows area; if there is an Alley Loop Points Race that week, we’ll ski on the course. More endurance and technique skiing in December, more hills and speed in January, harder skiing as we approach the Alley Loop.

Every session will have options to accommodate various abilities and fitness. Emphasis on “coaching lite”—a few tips, a couple of drills, mostly intervals and continuous skiing.

Tip of the week: For the first couple of weeks on snow—“Get your fitness on foot and go easy on skis.” If you try to go hard when first on skis it will magnify any technique weaknesses—do harder workouts running or hiking.

Hot box special

As promised, the hot box special is back. $35 gets you a hot scrape and two eight-hour wax sessions. The hot scrape will pull the dirt and grime from your skis. Then the skis will be baked twice, once with a soft wax, and then with Swix LF6 for the top and final coat. Hot boxing is used for two purposes: getting deep wax penetration, and applying longer lasting, faster race wax, especially for colder conditions. The more wax you can get to penetrate into your bases, the faster your skis will be, the longer it will last, and the better it will protect against oxidation and damage. Bring in your skis from November 21 to December 5. Expect a three-day turnaround time.

The Crested Butte Nordic Team

The Crested Butte Nordic Team offers affordable after-school programming for children in the Gunnison Valley. The mission of the CBNT is to provide young Nordic skiers and biathletes with exceptional coaching, training opportunities, and a healthy approach to sport. Our philosophy is that a fun, healthy, outdoor lifestyle is a great foundation for growth. To this end, our organization strives to provide programming that will appeal to recreational and competitive skiers alike.

Visit cbnordic.org for more information and to sign up for programs and events.

What’s to come of the Gunnison sage-grouse?

By Adam Broderick

U.S. Interior secretary Sally Jewell announced Tuesday, September 22, that the greater sage-grouse does not warrant listing as either threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).

Jewell cited unprecedented land conservation efforts by local stakeholders that have significantly reduced threats to the bird.

The announcement does not affect the current status of the Gunnison sage-grouse as threatened, which is currently being challenged in court by Gunnison County. But local officials are still keeping a watch on Tuesday’s decision because it closely aligns with the argument they are making regarding the Gunnison sage-grouse.

Last year, the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) listed the Gunnison sage-grouse as a threatened species under the ESA. The greater sage-grouse, a similar but slightly different species, was under consideration as well and had a September 30th deadline for its listing decision by FWS. The greater sage-grouse exists in 11 Western states and a threatened listing would have hugely impacted agriculture and energy development, so that case became more visible on the national radar.

The Gunnison sage-grouse, however, exists in only two states and although the effects of a threatened listing would mostly be felt by ranchers and landowners in Colorado and Utah, those effects would be powerful.

The Gunnison sage-grouse is a sub-species of the greater sage-grouse found south of the Colorado River in Colorado and Utah. It is about a third the size of the greater sage-grouse, and males have more distinctive white patterns on their tail feathers than male greater sage-grouse. Like the greater, Gunnison sage-grouse males also put on a unique and elaborate display to attract females.

When the FWS listed the Gunnison sage-grouse as threatened last year, county officials said the decision lacked accurate information based on the best available science and that the FWS did not follow its own protocols in their decision making process.

County officials also believe the FWS “improperly designated critical habitat” for the bird, land that county officials say has already undergone extensive protective and rehabilitative efforts that cost the state of Colorado and Gunnison County close to $40 million.

The bird’s population has grown significantly in recent years to numbers that show the bird does not face as strong a threat as the FWS determined, so the FWS intervention caused uproar among local ranchers, landowners, politicians and other stakeholders.

Tuesday’s decision to not list the greater sage-grouse is seen by many as an example of the federal government acknowledging that different stakeholders, not just government agencies, could find their own solution to protect the bird and its habitat.

Eric Holst, senior director of the Environmental Defense Fund, said in a press release, “Today’s ‘not warranted’ decision sends a strong signal that investments in conservation are making a difference and provide the catalyst for a different kind of politics.”

On a local level, officials say it’s too early to know if the announcement will affect the current status of the Gunnison sage-grouse but they are still paying attention with interest. “What it does is potentially put the Gunnison sage-grouse threatened listing back in the spotlight,” said commissioner Jonathan Houck, also on the Gunnison Basin Sage-grouse Strategic Committee. “Whether this puts us in a better or worse position to argue our case I cannot say, but our opinion is the rule needs to be withdrawn.”

County attorney David Baumgarten told the Crested Butte News, “It is premature to state whether or how, if at all, the decision today regarding the greater sage-grouse might impact future proceedings regarding the Gunnison sage-grouse.”

Gunnison County and the state will continue with the lawsuit against the FWS over the Gunnison sage-grouse listing decision. The county’s intent is to overturn the current “threatened” listing and to ultimately obtain a determination that a listing is not warranted, as happened on Tuesday with the greater sage-grouse, and that lands need not be identified by the federal government as “critical habitat.”

Court determines EPA listing is not warranted

By Adam Broderick

The United States District Court ruled in favor of Gunnison County and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in their case against plaintiff WildEarth Guardians on Tuesday, September 8.

Defendants in the case were also the American Petroleum Institute and Western Energy Alliance. The court denied WildEarth’s petition to list the Gunnison prairie dog as either an endangered or a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), concluding that prairie dog populations are stable and a listing is unnecessary.

According to the ESA, to be considered “endangered” a species must be in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range, and a “threatened” species is one that is “likely to become an endangered species within the foreseeable future throughout all or a significant portion of its range.”

The Gunnison prairie dog inhabits grasslands in the Four Corners region and is one of five species of prairie dogs in North America.

Since 2004, WildEarth Guardians has been working to list the Gunnison prairie dog under the ESA, and the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) has been fighting to keep the species from being listed. WildEarth’s petition to list the species originally came up because cases of the plague were being discovered among the species, but the FWS as well as Gunnison County maintain that populations are now stable and that no threats are placing or are expected to place either subspecies in danger of extinction.

Court documents show that in 1916 the Gunnison prairie dog occupied about 24.3 million acres. By 1961, largely due to disease and poisoning, it only occupied about 1 million acres. But in 2013, the species occupied about 23.4 million acres and those numbers have been stable since 2005.

In 2008, the FWS determined that listing the species was not warranted in the “prairie portion” of the species’ range but was warranted in the “montane portion” (higher elevation, wetter climate). However, WildEarth argued that there was no evidence the two were of a separate subspecies. In 2013, the FWS determined that the Gunnison prairie dog could be divided into two different subspecies: Cynomys gunnisoni gunnisoni (montane), and C.g. zuniensis (prairie). The FWS concluded that neither subspecies warranted listing pursuant to the ESA because neither subspecies is in danger of extinction.

WildEarth sued the FWS with the intention to have the entire species listed, saying the FWS “unlawfully and arbitrarily” divided the species into two subspecies based on portions of the species’ range. WildEarth won that lawsuit, saying ambiguous language made the subspecies division insufficient, and the court overturned the FWS determination of the two subspecies.

Most recently, the FWS determined that regardless of subspecies the Gunnison prairie dog should not be listed under the ESA because neither subspecies is truly facing danger of extinction or endangerment.

Gunnison County attorney David Baumgarten says the FWS determined that the species shouldn’t be listed at all, “because issues with plague have been resolved with new techniques, and a conclusion that the species recovers well even from a plague episode.”

The FWS and Gunnison County (as well as American Petroleum Institute and Western Energy Alliance) prevailed in this case, but Baumgarten says he has no idea if WildEarth will appeal the decision.

It is some of the cleanest coal in the world

by Mark Reaman

The Gunnison County commissioners will send a letter to the U.S. Forest Service supporting analysis in a draft environmental impact statement (EIS) about whether to reinstate the North Fork Coal Mining Exception of the Colorado Roadless Rule. They will vote on the final content of the letter at the Tuesday, May 19 meeting.

At a Tuesday, May 12 work session the commissioners appeared inclined to support the exception with caveats. They want the Forest Service to consider in its EIS analysis the viability of the coal mining industry in the North Fork; they want to encourage opportunities to recover methane from active and inactive mines in the area; and they want analysis of the quantity and quality of recreational tourism in the North Fork coal mining area. The specific exception would allow for “temporary road construction for coal exploration and/or coal-related surface activities in a 19,000-acre area.”

County attorney David Baumgarten went over the history of the commissioners and their stand on the coal area. In the past, the county has designated that region as the North Fork Valley Coal Resource Special Area and recognized that “coal is a resource valuable to the United States, Colorado, and Gunnison County that deserves to be extracted and put to use.”

Baumgarten said the county has also historically supported options to capture and use methane and has consistently stated the need for a balance between coal mining in that area and potential tourism.

“I crafted a draft letter without a thumbs-up or thumbs-down on the proposal,” Baumgarten told the commissioners.

“Coal is being phased out as an energy source but that won’t happen over night,” said commissioner Phil Chamberland. “The coal being mined in the North Fork is high-quality coal. When it comes to carbon emissions it doesn’t put out as much compared to other coal. The county realizes that coal will be gone over there and we have started to look for other sources of revenue. Natural gas is the new coal. It is part of the transition. Both are here for the next several decades until a replacement is found.

“People have said this exception was a loophole but that’s not right,” continued Chamberland. “A lot of people representing various groups were part of the roadless exception decision. It was an appropriate decision. Plus in the long-term, those roads will be reclaimed.”

Commissioner Jonathan Houck agreed with that summation. “It wasn’t only industry people at the table back then,” he said. “The rule was crafted with a lot of input from a lot of stakeholders. It is important to strike a balance. I, too, would like to see them capture methane and be aware of the tourism opportunities.

“Coal is going away but it remains in our immediate future,” he continued. “The product in the North Fork is some of the highest quality anywhere.”

“It’s the cleanest coal in the world,” added commissioner Paula Swenson. “Looking at the environment holistically in the world, it would be a shame not to use this resource. We’re moving away from coal but we aren’t there yet.”

Swenson also pointed out the economic viability of coal in the county, stating that recent surveys show those working in the coal industry make a lot more money than those in Gunnison County working in tourism. “We need to look for a holistic balance,” she said. “It is about balance and responsibility.”

Swenson said the county received many comments over the issue and the board took them all into consideration. On Tuesday, High Country Conservation Advocates executive director Michele Simpson reminded the commissioners that coal has a negative impact on climate change. “We encourage the commissioners to protect the county’s snowpack and lush pastures,” she said. “We are asking that the county keep the coal under the roadless area and in the ground. Protect the community and the local economy in the long run.”

Gunnison resident Steve Schechter is adamantly against expanding any coal leases. He listed the impacts from climate change already being experienced in the area, including shorter winters and less water. “It is time for Gunnison County to get off fossil fuels and the reliance on fossil fuel taxes,” he said.

Westin Norris and Kathy Welt, environmental engineers with the West Elk Mine, implored the commissioners to support the roadless exception. Norris pointed out that the mine contributed a $38 million payroll to the area, with average salaries and benefits amounting to $104,000 per employee. The mine paid Gunnison County $3 million in property taxes last year.

“The West Elk Mine has a huge impact on the Western Slope and Gunnison County,” Norris said. “And keep in mind that more than 60 percent of the electricity used in the county comes from coal-fired plants. And to say that global climate change is hinging on the coal coming from the West Elk Mine is not right. It is a drop in the bucket.”

Welt said the company has “won many awards for our reclamation work. We are not a slip-shod operation,” Welt said. “This exception was no loophole. It was a well thought-out, reasoned exception. We have been there 32 years and honestly we won’t be there for many more decades.”

“Times do change as far as the issue goes,” countered Sue Navy. “The Bank of America is reducing its exposure from coal in an effort to help mitigate climate change. If Bank of America can change its paradigm, so can we. I’d urge you to reconsider.”

Butch Clark also asked the commissioners to reconsider support. But he said if they were going to be in favor, they should include a provision to utilize the latest resources to capture the methane released from coal mines.

Comments are due to the Forest Service by Thursday, May 21. The commissioners will officially approve a letter to the Forest Service at the May 19 meeting.

Through the front door of the spacious new home of Open Your Eyes Gallery and Studio on Main Street in Gunnison, three smiling dogs joyously bound, their bodies wiggling in happy greetings of wagging stumpy tails. Francie and Allan Ivy purchased the historic three-story brick building last month and have been busily converting its interior into an art space for their photography work as well as their top-floor home. In two weeks they moved their entire world and lives into the building that was constructed in 1882, when Gunnison still had dirt streets and lots of Wild West cattlemen. Read More »

A criterium-style Nordic ski race; pledge sheets due Friday

Time to line up and hit the Nordic trails for the Third Annual Magic Meadows 7 on Saturday, January 10 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Magic Meadows Yurt. Not only do you get a chance to ski, you also raise money for the Crested Butte and Gunnison junior Nordic ski teams. Read More »

Congressional restrictions and county moves toward a lawsuit

There was a lot of action this week with the Gunnison sage grouse issue on the local, state and federal level. Read More »

I think people will be shocked at how busy this Christmas and New Year’s will be in Crested Butte. There will be people in and around town for a couple of weeks starting just before Christmas and staying until after New Year’s. That is always a relatively busy time but it honestly hasn’t been that busy the last few years. I think we’ll see a big bump on the slopes and in the businesses this year and people will get a taste of July in December.

In that same box, I think people will be shocked at how slow March will be. The two big reasons appear to be the timing of out-of-state school breaks and Mardi Gras falling in mid-February. As of now, March looks to be a lot less busy this year than last. Now, people are working to correct that and there is still a good amount of time to rectify the situation but it just demonstrates the fluidity of the season.

I think people will also be shocked at the big buildings on Crested Butte’s horizon. When the new affordable housing apartment complex goes up this coming summer next to True Value, people are going to be blown away. Despite assurances from proponents, it will be big and it will define the entrance to town. If and when they happen, Sixth Street Station will not be small, nor will the Center for the Arts expansion. Now granted, the big building corridor will at least touch on three positive things that can add to continued Crested Butte success—art, commerce and places for employees to live—but the scale will impact some of the vibe.

I think people will be shocked at how the United States government tortured people in the name of safety. Once again I give great accolades to Colorado’s U.S. Senator Mark Udall for doing his best to keep us aware as citizens about what the government is really doing. He has been a consistent critic of the government’s attempt to spy on its citizens. As he leaves the senate after losing the election last November, he wants to make sure that we do not forget what we as a country did in the name of fear. It was not pretty and Udall is a courageous voice in Washington.

I don’t understand why some people are shocked that a “perfect” use of the Whatever, USA $500,000 gift wasn’t reached. Understand that one man’s “perfect” is another woman’s “awful mistake.” I mean, in my mind, it was pretty good to touch on three projects that could be completed and benefit a swath of the community. And the three-deal solution addressed recreation, trails and affordable housing. But let’s all be real and understand there is no perfect use of the gift and remember, it is a gift. I suppose the two councils could have given $100 to everyone who lived in either town and $50 to people who lived in the county but not in the towns and $25 to anyone who has ever visited here—but focusing on three things that can actually get done is a pretty good deal. And I really liked councilman’s Schmidt’s observation that the two municipalities probably spent the last month spending literally millions of dollars in the town budgets and not many people came to chat about that money. The attraction of the blue Bud Light money just shows the emotion associated with the whole shebang.

It may come as a shock to some that the town and valley population is changing. I’ve recently met people who moved here in the last year or five and they come in a couple of different demographics. We still attract the young ski bums looking for work in a cool ski town and we still get those looking to escape the real world for the mountains. But we are also now attracting those who want to make Crested Butte their real world. There are the older conservative types who like the outdoors and the art and cultural opportunities. Then there are the younger, well-to-do family types with kids in school. The Crested Butte Community School is a huge draw and a significant economic driver for the upper valley. It basically provides a private education experience at a public school. People looking for a small town chapter in their life book are coming here. Many of these newcomers probably care less about the history and old Crested Butte “values” than good teachers and “better” amenities. That’s probably one reason the idea of a pool keeps surfacing despite the prohibitive expense. Things never stay the same in a good place and I like the new energy we are seeing with a vibrant cross-section of community age and thought.

And finally, we all should be shocked that the local cops ended up in a scary late-night situation with guns drawn and poor choices the most obvious outcome (See page 7). That is not supposed to happen here and doesn’t often. Thank goodness. While I give the local law enforcement community a hard time sometimes because of their growing numbers, when they end up in a situation like they did Friday and no one ends up seriously hurt or dead—I appreciate them.

Time for an honest conversation

The stage has been set for a new kind of conversation when it comes to coal mining and climate change. Last month, the deadline to appeal a U.S. District Court decision calling for the consideration of climate change impacts from Colorado coal mining came and went without appeal. And now, proposed coal mining operations in Colorado must consider the impact of coal mining on climate change. Read More »