Editor: We want to thank you for the article last week describing efforts to pause wolf reintroduction efforts in the Gunnison Basin, and northern release areas until Colorado Parks and Wildlife has better prepared to deal with wolf-livestock interaction. Our only disappointment was the picture of the wolf for the article, showing it to be similar to the family dog ready to go fetch a ball. In an article dealing with wolves' predation impacts on livestock, which are real, it would be fair to show a picture of a dead calf killed by a wolf, or of a cow still alive after being attacked by wolves and left to bleed out from wounds on her anus and underbelly. Or a picture of a dead ranch dog, beloved by its human family, after being killed by wolves. This would give readers a more balanced visual perception. Wolves are nothing like the family pet — they are top level carnivores and they kill what they can to survive. Realistic photos showing wolf depredations are easily available online if people want to see what having wolves in cattle country is going to involve. Thank you again for covering this important issue. Greg Peterson Kathleen Curry Gunnison
Editor: This past month has been an eventful one for zoning and planning in both the city and county of Gunnison. I want to thank the many residents who showed up and contributed their voices during public comment. Like many of you, I’m just an ordinary citizen who cares deeply about this place. And right now, we’re at a pivotal moment — one where we must decide to preserve the iconic landscapes that define our identity, while also finding thoughtful ways to address our housing needs. There are many outside forces causing the housing crisis, which has grown exponentially in recent years, but locally we can only begin to address the problem incrementally, one project at a time. Let's all take a collective deep breath. In moving forward, we must resist making decisions in a crisis mindset. Instead, let’s stay grounded in our values and clear about our goals. We value agriculture, open space and the rural character that makes Gunnison special. These must not be sacrificed in the rush to attempt to solve a complex challenge facing every lifestyle community across the country. Specifically, I’m speaking of the widely beloved Van Tuyl Ranch, as well as what’s known as the Dunbar Parcel — the grazing and wetlands between Dos Rios, KOA and Hartman Rocks. For background, the Dunbar Parcel is currently privately owned, and is a remnant of the Historical Hartman’s Ranch. However, if designated as agriculture in the county zoning plan it could eventually become a community asset, offering a pedestrian corridor to Hartman Rocks, as well as continued ranching and an enhanced wildlife habitat and viewing area. (Thousand of Sandhill Cranes stop here bi-annually). These grazing areas and wetlands are not development opportunities; they are part of our collective inheritance. They must be permanently protected so future generations can enjoy them as we have. We must designate them as agricultural lands, buying time to collectively raise the funds to secure conservation easements. Their inherent value far outweighs any short-term relief a new housing development might bring — especially with projects like Gunnison Rising already on the horizon. At the same time, we can meet housing needs and stop the spread of urban sprawl by being bold with city zoning. Let’s allow high-density residential development in all commercial zoned areas, creating walkable neighborhoods near shops, restaurants, transit and groceries. Picture dotted along Main Street and Hwy. 50, vibrant multi-use, multi-story buildings with small businesses on the ground floor, and affordable housing on the second, third and fourth levels. Zoning could mandate parking and storage be located in the basement level and have green space instead of parking lots — spaces for community gathering, gardening and beautification. Within the city we should also replace all single-household residential zoning with mixed residential designations, making room for multi-family homes and accessory dwelling units as dilapidated housing is redeveloped. Gunnison is changing, but with creativity, cooperation and a shared vision we can remain a rural ranching community with a beautiful, bustling and pedestrian-friendly town. Arly Landry Gunnison
Editor: A few weeks ago we experienced a terrible mountain meadow fire on Noah Blackwell's property. A ranch hand had just fueled a tractor and as he drove away with the fuel truck the mowed and harvested meadow caught fire. Justin McClain happened to be driving by and immediately called the fire department and began attempting to control the fire. It became evident that the fire was monstrous and not controllable without professional help. In a short period, we had the Ohio City Volunteer Department, Pitkin Volunteer Fire Department and Gunnison County Fire Protection District on scene. In addition we had people from the Gunnison County Sheriff’s Office to control bypassing traffic. Even though they were all there quickly, the fire was out of control and was burning a four-stall storage barn full of vehicles and tractors, a calf barn and a cow barn. It was starting to burn a garage and was close to setting the home on fire. It was amazing. The three fire departments immediately worked as one team. They set up pumps in the creek to keep the fire trucks full of water and they all worked together to save much of the property. They worked hard, intelligently and they worked without any hesitation in the task. In a half hour they put out the fire on the garage and stopped the fire from reaching the house and equipment. Neighbors stopped by to offer food to those fighting the fire. The people of Gunnison County are sincerely blessed to have our fire departments work together in such an efficient and talented way. I just wanted to thank everyone with a grateful heart for being such wonderful neighbors and keeping the situation from being much worse. Rick Randall Gunnison County
Editor: On behalf of our families, we want to extend our deepest gratitude to the Ohio City, Pitkin and Gunnison fire departments for your quick response, bravery and amazing work in putting out a fire on Sept. 3 on CR 76. We know the dangers you face each time you respond to a call. We are truly humbled by the professionalism, teamwork and courage that you demonstrated, along with love, support and open arms. Because of all the volunteer firemen and neighbors, an unfortunate situation was contained and nobody was hurt. It sure does take a village. The Blackwell family The Vader family Gunnison County
Editor: Gunnison is very fortunate to have volunteer firefighters — men and women who risk their lives and well-being to protect us in times of great need and in dire circumstances. The risks involved in their work are many. Some are related to dangers encountered during emergency responses — exposure to heat, smoke, chemicals, infectious diseases and so on. The list is long. Firefighters have gear, equipment and training to help keep them safe during emergency responses. However, the dangers do not end when they leave the scene. Firefighters bring poisons, carcinogens and contagions from the scene to their stations. Those substances cling to their bunker gear and equipment. To increase safety on their return, it is critical to have a separate decontamination area where gear and equipment are cleaned, significantly reducing extended exposure and, with it, increased risk of developing chronic diseases and cancer. Our firefighters currently do not have a separate decontamination area. Our firefighters work, train, prepare food and eat in the same space where gear and equipment are stored and decontamination processes are performed. They deserve better. As a community, we have an opportunity to protect those who protect us. The two mill levy increases you will see on November’s ballot are your chance to do right by them. The increases provide funding for a new fire station with that critical separate decontamination area. For their protection, please vote yes. The funding also provides for sleeping quarters. Our firefighters travel from their homes to the station when a call comes in. With a new station, we will have capability for our volunteer firefighters to be on-site 24-7. We will all be safer with the shorter response times this provides. For your protection, please vote yes. Many people may be reluctant to support an increase in property taxes. I understand. I am a property owner, too. Our volunteer firefighters save us $3-6 million dollars in annual costs compared to a paid department. Additionally, having a fire station that provides on-site sleeping quarters may reduce insurance rates for property owners within a five-mile radius due to faster response times. Our volunteer firefighters save us money. For the good of our community, please vote yes. The number of volunteer firefighters is falling nationwide while the number of calls for their service has tripled. Recruitment of volunteers is becoming more difficult as training time increases, the workload grows and the high risks to long-term health become clearer. Everything we can do to support and protect those who are willing to do this critical work is more than worth it. Let’s show our volunteer firefighters we value them. Let’s keep them and our community safe. For the sake of all of us, please vote ‘yes’ on both mill levy increases this November. Laurie Gery Gunnison
Editor: The city planning department is currently steamrolling zoning and land development code changes to pave the way for an unsustainable, car-dependent development on the west side of Gunnison. I can’t help to think that there must be better options that won’t lead to a bottleneck of traffic passing though Main and Tomichi daily, generated from this west side car dependent development. The lack of a connection to town, transit, utilities and services makes the West Thorn project a hard sell. Increasing the zoning density to 80 units an acre is even more impactful. Good intentions, but the wrong location. We haven’t seen any evidence of how this integration will take place, with the only benefit of more housing. I was lying awake in bed wondering how the city could possibly avoid the biggest development blunder while filling the need for housing, a land swap idea came to mind: Swap the rodeo grounds for the West Thorn parcel. Before this idea gets immediately rejected, hear me out. I understand the legacy of the rodeo grounds, but both parcels are essentially the same acreage. The rodeo grounds would provide better integration into the city. It’s connected by seven existing streets that will disperse traffic better and be less car dependent. It’s already surrounded by development and eliminates sprawl. West Thorn has one existing street and one roughed in dirt road. The rodeo grounds is located next to services, transit and infrastructure and is walkable to the Central Business District. West Thorn is not connected to anything and will be car dependent. The advantages of moving the rodeo grounds to the West Thorn parcel, it would keep the rural feel of the west side, the rodeo and carnival could likely be held simultaneously again, it’s a better overall fit with the current agriculture activities, aligns more with the West Gunnison neighborhood and comprehensive plans and the current wildlife corridor/population wouldn’t be stressed. A win-win for everyone. We can take a car dependent development and transform it to a walkable one that ties into community, services, transit, restaurants and the general grid of town. Moving the rodeo grounds to the west side preserves that rural feeling that makes West Gunnison a special place. West Thorn then is no longer an outlying development, but integrated into the community. This swap solves connectivity, public transportation, access and car dependency concerns. The rodeo grounds would also provide faster completion due to existing infrastructure. We are at a crossroads in Gunnison. All of our current parklands and green spaces have potential zoning changes. The city needs to be transparent with the future of our open spaces. We have a chance to make positive sound improvements to our community by this land swap. I encourage the stakeholders of the city, county and the developer to discuss a land swap as it’s the best fit for Gunnison’s future. Dave Kozlowski Gunnison
Editor: I want to bring to your attention an important proposal currently under review that directly impacts the future of VanTuyl Ranch. The plan would rezone the property from Agricultural–PUD to exclusively Planned Unit Development. This land is more than just acreage. It is essential to our community. VanTuyl Ranch is one of the rare places where agriculture, open space and community life come together. The ranch includes a public trail system that has become part of daily life for Gunnison residents. Neighbors walk their dogs, parents push strollers, kids ride bikes and families enjoy time together outdoors. In winter, the land transforms again as ski routes are laid across the fields, giving locals easy access to cross-country skiing without leaving town. This kind of public access is not just about recreation — it’s about connection. Trails through VanTuyl Ranch provide a safe, scenic space to exercise, gather and spend time in nature, which studies show improves physical and mental health. They also allow the community to witness firsthand the positive impact of working agriculture: healthy soils, wildlife habitat and open views that define Gunnison’s character. VanTuyl Ranch is an active, functioning wetland that recharges Gunnison’s alluvial aquifer, the community’s main source of drinking water. Through regenerative agriculture, the ranch has built soils that are alive, covered and rich in organic matter — conditions that directly improve water quality, biodiversity and aquifer recharge. The City of Gunnison has already identified protecting this aquifer as a top community priority. A scientific soil test found that VanTuyl’s organic matter levels are 15.72%. This is exceptionally high compared to most agricultural soils (often under 5%) and means the land has a remarkable ability to hold and store water like a sponge. The more organic matter in soil, the more water it can absorb, reducing runoff and directing that water back into the ground where it replenishes the aquifer. Research also shows that regenerative agricultural practices like flood irrigation support recharge; these sites can contribute, on average, 12% of a river’s annual natural streamflow back to groundwater. Rezoning VanTuyl Ranch out of agriculture would strip away these proven soil and water benefits, weakening the very system that keeps Gunnison’s land and people healthy. In 1992, the City of Gunnison purchased VanTuyl Ranch from Ray VanTuyl with the clear intent to keep it in agriculture and open space. That intent was reaffirmed in the 2010 Management Plan and the 2012 Annexation Petition. Will you stand with me to protect VanTuyl Ranch? Let’s keep it agricultural and preserve it as the community resource it was meant to be — for our water, our land and the well-being of Gunnison.
Cloe Parker
Gunnison
Investment in youth
Editor: We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the Gunnison County Metropolitan Recreation District for funding the Universal Summer Scholarship program, which helped youth across the Gunnison Valley access safe and enriching summer programming. This year, 71 families with 125 children received scholarships to offset the cost of summer programs and camps. Met Rec’s ability to respond quickly to an emerging need by reducing the financial barriers for summer programming through the Community Grants Program made this possible. By listening to the community and acting quickly, they ensured more local youth could participate, learn and grow. We could not have supported so many families without their partnership. We are also grateful to our incredible partners who made this program possible by creating quality camps and programs, assisting with enrollment, and welcoming families to use their scholarships. These include the Gunnison Recreation Center, Junior Mountaineers Camp, Mountain Roots, Crested Butte Devo, CORE Kids Camp and many more. Together, we are building opportunities for all local youth to thrive during the summer months.
Emily Mirza
Gunnison County Substance Abuse Prevention Project
Lana Athey
Gunnison Hinsdale Early Childhood Council
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