September 12, 2024 - The Silver World Newspaper

Dear Grant,

The Hinsdale County Commissioners would like to take this opportunity to thank Michelle Pierce for her work with the Upper Gunnison River Water Conservancy District (UGRWCD). Michelle began serving as a board member in 2015 as a representative from Hinsdale County. She became board president in 2017 and served in that capacity until her resignation in August of this year.Upper Gunnison River Water Conservancy District is a leader in all issues affecting the water resources of the Upper Gunnison River Basin. Lake City is located within the basin along with Gunnison, Crested Butte, Montrose, Ouray, Saguache and Cedaredge.During her time on the UGRWCD board, Michelle worked tirelessly on water topics important to the residents of Lake City and Hinsdale County and the basin. The District works to conserve, protect, and defend the waters within the Upper Gunnison River Basin. Activities now include financial, legal, political and engineering support for water rights litigation, legislation and other political activities, and support for a wide variety of local water users’ interests including agriculture, recreation, environmental, and municipal uses.Michelle helped to oversee the partnership between UGRWCD, Lake City and Hinsdale County on the Lake San Cristobal Water Activity Enterprise project to store water in Lake San Cristobal including the installation of the outlet structure to maximize storage and for flood control.We wish to recognize Michelle for her hard work and leadership representing Hinsdale County on the UGWCD board in important water-related matters. Respectfully,Hinsdale County CommissionersKristie Borchers, Robert Hurd, Greg Levine

September 12, 2024 No Comments

Editor,

After a summer of moisture, the Gunnison Basin’s water supply situation offers a mixed outlook. Following a promising snowpack season, water conditions have settled into an average range.As noted in the Colorado River District’s July memorandum, the Upper Gunnison Basin experienced a favorable snowpack during the winter of 2023-2024, with snow water equivalent levels peaking slightly above the long-term median. This strong snowpack promised a healthy runoff season, contributing to above-average water supplies across many of the region’s reservoirs. Blue Mesa Reservoir peaked at about 79% capacity this summer.The Gunnison River Basin, which includes critical agricultural areas like the Uncompahgre Valley, experienced near-normal water conditions. Most upstream reservoirs, such as Taylor Park and Ridgway, filled.Looking ahead, recent precipitation has bolstered soil moisture across the basin. This should help moderate water demands through the remainder of the season.While the Gunnison Basin’s water supply for 2024 was generally positive, it is underscored by a need for ongoing adaptive management to navigate the challenges posed by fluctuating climatic conditions and variable inflow forecasts.For more detailed water supply projections and real-time updates, please visit the Colorado Basin River Forecast Center (www.cbrfc.noaa.gov), or head to gunnisonriverbasin.org for more resources. Sincerely,Savannah NelsonGBRT Public Education, Participation, and Outreach (PEPO) Coordinator

September 12, 2024 No Comments

Dear Grant,

In the August 23rd Silver World was a letter in support of the current Hinsdale CountyBoard of Commissioners. We, the Mineral County Board of Commissioners are writing to echo some of the sentiments in that letter; specifically support forGreg Levine in his bid for re-election this November.As you know, the Silver Thread Public Health District Board is comprised of two Hinsdale County Commissioners, two Mineral County Commissioners, and two at large Board Members from each county. Through our rotations on that board, we have all served with Greg at one time or another.We have all three found Greg to be an exceptionally dedicated Board Member. He is thorough in the due diligence research outside of meetings that is necessary to be an effective member of the District Health Board and he is very insightful in thediscussions we have in meetings. We can only assume that this is true also of his service on the Hinsdale Board of County Commissioners.In closing, we would be remiss if we did not mention that we have enjoyed working with all of the Hinsdale County Commissioners over the years. You are blessed to have such a dedicated group steering the fortunes and future of your county. And, we enjoy following all the goings-on in Hinsdale County in the Silver World, an exceptional weekly paper! Respectfully Submitted,Jesse Albright, Ramona Weber and R. Scott LambThe Board of Commissioners, Mineral County

September 12, 2024 No Comments

Dear Grant,

Human Powered Endeavors would like to thank the following volunteers and sponsors for their generous contributions to the 6th Annual Lake City Alpine 50 high-alpine bike race.Key to any race is the safety of our riders. Harvey and Kathy DuChene, Joseph Freeland, Patrick and Andrea Woods, Laurel Darren, Brett Talcott, Grant Krasner, Betty Shivers, and Greg Flynt swept the course to ensure that all riders got off the mountain safely. Thank you to High Altitude Adventures, Jesse Kendall, Steve Ryals, and Hinsdale County Search & Rescue for their generous donation of OHVs to sweep the course.Our single aid station at the top of Cinnamon Pass provided much-needed water and snacks. A huge shout out to Jeff and Tracy Lanktree, Tim and Kayelynn McClary, Sarah Yuhas, and Robert Strzelczyk for their invaluable work.A special thank you to Laurel Darren with Wild Bunch Desert Guides for her consistent support and for providing 100 tasty peanut butter cookies to our hungry riders. Thank you to Dave Fleishman of Just a Little Light Photography for photographing the race.Hinsdale County EMT support was provided by the team of Bob Downs and Richard Williams. Supporting us on the Silverton side of the passes was San Juan County EMT. Hinsdale County’s help and cooperation were appreciated – thank you to Sandy Hines, Don Menzies, Amanda Hartman, the Sheriff’s Department, and the Commissioners for their ongoing support of the race. Thank you to the Town of Lake City, Mayor Dave Roberts, and the Town Trustees.Building the event tent, setting up the park, and erecting traffic barricades is always a group activity and requires many hands. Harvey DuChene, Michael and Tracy Fleishman, Patrick Woods, Roy and Karen Shaw, Jon Eidson, Lyn Lampert, and Tim Crist comprised this year’s hard-working crew. Inside the tent helping the announcer were trusted sidekicks Lyn Lampert, Tim Crist, and Grant Massey. As always, we appreciate Jerry Gray and the San Juan Solstice’s generosity in providing water jugs and the timing clock. Thanks to Bruce Vierheller for providing the scaffolding for our race finish.Inside the tent, our “Beer Garden” was a huge success, providing snacks to riders and the public along with cold Oskar Blues beer. Thanks to Karen Shaw, Kate Hopson, Kerry Coy, and Kristie Borchers, who made a wonderful team.Who gets up at 4:30 AM to provide hot coffee and homemade baked goods to riders and the public? None other than Mandy Caldon with Sweet Peas, thank you!Stationed at the LCBC and along Bluff St., rider spotters Lily Virden, Martha Levine, Caron Jones, Rachel and Richard Moore, Pat and Gaylene Reichlin, Bill Nicholson, Jess Cunningham, Christian Hartman, Elliot Hartman, John Bass, Grant Loper, and Rich Piltingsrud. Tracy Fleishman, Journey Fleishman, and Graydon Walker took on the huge task of sampling Crested Bucha kombucha and handling rider prizes. Shout out to Jennifer and Tobin Behling for handling race timing and results and making for a smooth race.Countless hours were spent working with sponsors, coordinating donated merchandise, overseeing rider registration, and communications throughout the year. These functions, as well as putting together rider race bags, hosting the packet pick-up event, and announcing the awards ceremony, were performed by my amazing partner and co-founder, Michael Fleishman, and his wonderful family. Thank you to Tracy Fleishman, Sarah Yuhas, Kayelynn McClary, and Tim McClary, who handled these critical tasks. Special thank you to Elaine Nicholson for taking care of the dogs on race day.Sponsors play a huge part in helping fund the race. We spend thousands in fees to the BLM, USA Cycling, RedPodium.com, the Town of Lake City, and Hinsdale County to put on this race.Our local sponsors include High Altitude Adventures, Wild Bunch Desert Guides, Wildflower Cabins, Cabin Fever Mercantile, G&M Cabins, Matterhorn Motel, Refuge Roasters, Sportsman Fly Shop, Lake City Shirt Co., Climb, Wagon Wheel Cabins, Alpine Village, Inn at the Lake, Southern Vittles, Lake City Liquors, Sportsman’s BBQ, Lakeview Vacation Rentals, Silver Spur, 38 Degrees North, Murphy Real Estate, Mountaineer Theatre, Alpine Peddle and Paddle, Webco Excavating, Lake City Bakery, San Juan Soda Co., Crested Bucha, Lake City Chamber of Commerce, Silver Spur, and Bushwhack Lodge.National sponsors include our title sponsor, GCEA/Tri-State, along with Oskar Blues Brewery, Osprey, Hammer Nutrition, Twin Six, and Wolf Tooth.A big shout out to the Lake Fork Valley Conservancy, our non-profit partner, and its Board Members, who worked tirelessly on many facets of the race—thank you all. We were proud to donate $1,000.00 to the “Stewards of the Lake Fork Valley” to further their important work.It truly does take a community to pull off a race like this. So, thank you to all our volunteers and sponsors for making the 6th Annual Lake City Alpine 50 a safe and successful event. See you next year. John Coy

September 12, 2024 No Comments

Water Report- September 13

September 12, 2024 No Comments

SkyWatch- September 13

September 12, 2024 No Comments

New Owners Breathe New Life into Fine-Dining Establishment, Climb Elevated Eatery

by Shannon Squires The Climb Elevated Eatery (Climb) is the first obvious restaurant drivers see when they round the bend towards Lake City’s cottonwood tree-lined main street while heading south on Colorado State Highway 149. Formed by Linda Lovegreen and her husband Jerry Johnson in 2016, Climb has been a seasonal purveyor of upscale food and beverages, steadily creating a reputation for themselves as Lake City’s top establishment for date nights, family events, anniversaries, and other special occasions. Longtime locals and summer residents alike anticipate Climb’s Spring opening, so in 2022, when word began to percolate that the eatery was going to be up for sale, the natives were understandably restless. Fortunately for the fine dining community in Lake City, a plan was coming to fruition between front of house leader Razvan (Raz) Armeanca and seasoned Lake City chef Tyler Crump. The proposal had a third party, Craig Suiter, a silent partner in Arizona; however the day-to-day operations of Climb would be for Raz and Tyler to manage. Linda Lovegreen and Jerry Johnson would assist with a transitionary period for the month of June, beyond that the two would be on their own. However, Lake City is home to both men, and they are well-respected members of the food and beverage communities here. The challenge was readily accepted. Raz Armeanca is the person you look forward to seeing at your table when you come to Climb, where he has been serving and bartending for the last several years prior to the change in ownership. Always warm and knowledgeable about what the days offerings might be, Raz embodies fine dining competence, whether he’s behind the bar expertly preparing one of Climb’s curated craft cocktails, or at your booth explaining how a particular fish of the day is prepared. If you’ve been to Climb a handful of times, Raz likely knows your drink of choice and how you prefer your steak, which isn’t surprising given Raz’s long history of service in Lake City where he first came as a J1 student from Romania in 2012. At that time, Raz worked for Bruno’s, a now long-gone French Restaurant where Silver Slice Pizza is today. Raz moved permanently to Lake City in 2016, married his wife Bianca who graduated from college during that time, and has been serving upscale food and beverages to locals and summer visitors ever since. In 2021, Raz sat down at one of Climb’s back tables with Tyler Crump and had a prophetic talk about the two men’s future with the restaurant: “Give me three years” Raz told his someday business partner, and three years later his vision is happening. Tyler Crump has been working in food and beverage since 2009. He has done many things to feed people in this time, from a small chain of frozen yogurt shops in Texas, to MelTy’s mobile grilled sandwiches, to cooking and catering with Southern Vittles in Lake City. He first came to Lake City in 2012 with his wife Melody, whose family owned Chillin and Southern Vittles at the time. Tyler promptly fell in love with the region and moved full time in 2016. He and Melody are raising their children here and enjoy building on Melody’s long family ties to the town. Tyler knows how to feed people; he can orchestrate a team in Climb’s kitchen and produce your plate to excellence, then replicate that for every individual that comes in to dine that night. Tyler is happy to talk about his plans for Climb’s first summer season under new ownership. The menu didn’t change dramatically; Tyler has chosen to remain true to Climb’s previous commitment to high quality proteins, the freshest sourced vegetables and top-class ingredients for all menu items from appetizers to entrées on into desserts and cocktails. Looking forward to summer 2025, there are few anticipated changes for the menu. The biggest alterations that Tyler envisioned at the end of June 2024 were the addition of a lunch menu on Wednesdays through Sundays, and occasional brunch. The first brunch celebrated Father’s Day, which was very successful, serving over 80 people. With summer 2024 closing swiftly, Raz and Tyler have been able to look back on their first season operating Climb on their own. The two were confident that their professional experience, business management skills and the support of their community would be enough to have a great opening season, and they were right! Raz says that there were no major surprises, and that they navigated staffing challenges, such as housing their J1s in the bunkhouse Linda and Jerry had used in years past. In fact, the restaurant managed the season in such a way as to be able to take their staff on a team building raft trip down a local river, providing lifelong memories for the seasonal staff including their J1 students that are here helping to make the summer such a success. At the official start of the off season, Raz and Tyler plan to take some time off to relax and be with their families, but the intention is to be open throughout most of the year. Times, days, and menu will be announced by Raz and Tyler as the season changes. In addition to staying open as much as possible for dining room service, the restaurant will also be providing catering around any off-season closures. Interested parties should contact Raz and Tyler at The Climb for more information about catering.

September 12, 2024 No Comments

Plans for ‘Red House 2.0’ Already Underway

Coffins plan to rebuild fire-ravaged family home, express gratitudefor outpouring of support. By Chris Dickey Mere days removed from experiencing the devastating loss of the home that has housed generations of family get-togethers, holidays, birthday celebrations, funerals and a wedding reception, Tracy Nichols-Coffin is remarkably determined about what comes next.“Heck yes, we’re rebuilding,” she said when asked about such plans by the Silver World this week. “Red House 2.0.”To Lake City historians, the structure at 521 Gunnison Avenue, which dates to 1876, was known as the Beam-Nichols house. To the family that has occupied it since John and Mary Ann Nichols purchased it in 1969, it’s forever been known as “The Red House” because of the signature (and unchanging) color adorning its log and clapboard siding.The house was engulfed in flames late Sunday afternoon, Sept. 1, after a barbecue grill caught fire and quickly spread to the house. No one was injured, including pets, and local firefighters’ quick response prevented the blaze from spreading to neighboring homes.“The scary part happened to us,” Nichols-Coffin said, “but the death of that home is being felt by all of us who have loved it for so long.”John Hatley Nichols grew up frequenting Lake City from the Texas Panhandle on family fishing trips in the 1940s and ‘50s — before there were any paved roads here. When he and Mary Ann married, they decided they wanted to make Lake City a more permanent part of their family experience, so they purchased the Gunnison Avenue home.Their three children — Jack, Tracy and Dawson — all grew up with the Red House being a mainstay in their lives.“We moved around a lot as a family,” Nichols- Coffin explained, noting that her father was an “ad man” from Chicago. “But we spent every summer and Christmas at the Red House. It really is like a family member. It’s been our anchor our whole life.”The Red House has served as a home to the Nichols’ children as well — fourth generation family members with such connections.Tracy and her husband Mike Coffin have three grown kids (Tyler Coffin, 30, who lives in New York City; Army Captain Justin Coffin, 28, who is currently stationed at Ft. Liberty in North Carolina; and Mary Hatley Coffin, 19, who recently enrolled at Lake Forest College in Illinois).Jack Nichols, who died in an ice climbing accident in 2018, and his wife Leslie had two boys (Johnny and Thomas) who grew up in Lake City, spending “tons and tons of time at the Red House,” according to Leslie.Dawson, his wife Jenny and their two daughters, Hannah and Rosie, live in the Northwest but are also frequent Lake City visitors.In 2006, Tracy and Mike purchased the home from Mary Ann. For years it served as their family summer retreat, but the couple, who both work remotely, moved into it full time this past June.And the first Sunday in September was progressing quite normally, until fate intervened. “We were having guests over for dinner,” Nichols- Coffin explained. “We lit the grill like we always do. Mike was walking in the side door to come grab the chicken. He was maybe three steps away from the grill when I looked out the window and saw the house was on fire.”The speed with which the flames grew amazed the couple. Mike tried to turn the control knobs to the grill off, but they’d already become inoperable. He was dragging the grill away from the house, but the flames became too intense.They even had a fire blanket in the home, which Tracy attempted to smother the building flames with. She likened it to “putting a napkin on a fourteener.”Hinsdale County Sheriff’s Deputy Denim Starnes happened to be patrolling by at the time and was the first official on the scene. Firefighters arrived a reported eight minutes after the call went out. But it was too late.The Coffins lost most of their possessions to the blaze — clothes, family photos, phones, wallets, computers. But they remain thankful that some items were spared — including Tracy’s wedding ring and Mike’s flyfishing rod and flies.Mostly, though, they are overwhelmed with gratitude for the “many miracles” of support the community has bestowed upon them in light of the tragedy.They’ve been housed in town with friends Liz and Kenny Howard. They’ve already received a lead on a potential rental home. Strangers have handed them money. Local businesses — including Climb, The Breakfast Hangout, Packers and Inklings — have offered free food and household necessities.Jason Santos of the local presbyterian church was on scene and immediately started a food train, eliminating all need of the Coffins doing any cooking or grocery shopping for more than a week now.“I can’t tell you how many people who have hugged us and prayed for us,” Nichols-Coffin said. “Everybody has been so kind. It’s overwhelming.” The house at 521 Gunnison Avenue before the fire, left photo, and after, right photo. Mike Coffin reflects on the incident with gratitude: That wind, which could have spread the flames to other structures, was not blowing; that their kids were not home; that all the firefighters remained safe; that their dogs, Boo the Black Lab and Jack the Corgi, were retrieved from the burning building.Mostly, though, he’s grateful for the love and support of the Lake City community.“It’s just an honor to be welcomed here,” he said, “and have these people wrap their arms around us.”The process of what to do with the charred remains of the home has already begun. An insurance adjuster and forensic fire expert have begun their investigations. A search for potential asbestos comes next, then salvage work will commence.Gunnison-based architect Jody Reeser and contractor Ken Bodine have already visited the site, with wheels turning on how to rebuild. There is hope that some of the original log structure is salvageable.“We really value the historic integrity of this community,” Nichols-Coffin said, “so we really want to recreate the facade if we can and the historic nature of the

September 12, 2024 No Comments

Day: September 12, 2024