August 20, 2026
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It is with sadness, that I write to you one last time. I am here for the month of August to say goodbye to all my Lake City friends. Unfortunately, I can no longer breathe without oxygen.Alan is not with me, for the last year has been in memory care. I was told by director of the unit that it would be possible to leave him at this time.For 30 years I have spent four months living here, with a succession of Labradors, who relished the cold mountain water, and the daily hikes.We were lucky to find this place, and originally camped, then stayed at Edmondson’s Valley View Ranch. Which had two miles of premier trout fishing.After that was sold, we went to Vickers Ranch.To all of you who have been such good friends, I hope to see as many of you as possible.I leave my heart in Colorado!! With Love,Ann RobsonNew Orleans, Louisiana
I have been honored to work with my team of EMS people for 7 years, since I became a volunteer in 2019. When Director Buffy Witt hired me as EMS Coordinator in January of 2023, I learned much from her about what it takes to keep an ambulance service running. I have been so proud to continue the work she began and entrusted to me, namely, building a strong, resilient EMS department for this community we both love.During my 2.5 year tenure as HCEMS Director, the team and I have accomplished a lot. We helped 369 patients and created a robust CQI (Continuous Quality Improvement) program. We upgraded equipment, including ordering and designing a new ambulance to replace our aging Med 91 unit. We reorganized the EMS station by clearing out 40+ years of expired drugs, supplies, and outdated equipment. Some of those drugs expired before I was born!Structurally, we implemented a shift calendar, established a new leadership framework with redundancy, and moved our medical direction to an ER physician. Administratively, we secured nearly half a million dollars in grant funds, successfully transitioned to state-level licensing, updated our billing rates, and created a patient follow-up system. We hosted professionals across the state for a consultative visit, and implemented many of their suggestions to better our system, such as passing a lodging tax to support EMS.We were constantly learning and teaching. We certified 8 new EMTs, 8 new ambulance drivers, 3 new CPR instructors, 1 new EMS Primary Instructor, and 134 community members in CPR/Stop the Bleed/First Aid. We trained 5 EMTs to give IV therapy and elevated our Chief Paramedic with a Critical Care endorsement. We ran 2 EMT courses, in addition to holding over 150 hours of continuing education training.While I have been disappointed in the county’s decisions and actions regarding EMS over the course of this year, I remain incredibly proud of the team, our dedication to patient care, and the good I was able to do in service of my community. I’m looking forward to my next adventure, and I trust that the team will continue their work at the high standard we’ve expected from ourselves over these past years. Much love and appreciation to each of you.I’d also like to make sure our Team Member of the Year for 2025 gets recognized; we were unable to celebrate properly due to my medical leave. Sarah Moody has been a force of nature on our team. We commend her dedication to getting her EMT certification, which required long drives to Gunnison all through the winter. We appreciate her eagerness to sign up for shift coverage regularly, and the care she provided to 55 patients over the course of 2025 (she assisted with a full third of our 2025 call volume!). Thank you, Sarah, for all you have done and continue to do with HCEMS. Katherine HeidtLake City
Here we are in the midst of another election season, and once again, we the people have the choice to decide who will lead us. This is an enormously unusual privilege in a world that is largely governed by pure power, family dynasties, or corruption. We, the voters, need to take this privilege seriously.I, for one, am going to advocate that in addition to a candidate’s ideology, competence, eloquence, or party affiliation, we should consider their character as a significant qualification for office. The author Stephen Covey wrote, “In the last analysis, what we are communicates far more eloquently than anything we say or do.”With that in mind, I want to express my public support for Jordan Kaminski for Hinsdale County Sheriff. I have known Jordan ever since he first moved to Hinsdale County in 2009, and have officiated at his wedding, and have seen his children grow up. I also kept in regular communication with him while he served as a missionary in Russia. In all of my dealings with Jordan, I have found his character to be above reproach. He is honest, hardworking, compassionate, and highly motivated to do the right thing. He also has demonstrated the rare quality of humility, the ability to admit his own shortcomings when they arise.Jordan is a highly trained, well-experienced law enforcement officer who has chosen to raise his family in Hinsdale County. Those are important qualities, but in my book, his character stands first as to why I’m casting my vote for Jordan Kaminski for Hinsdale County Sheriff. Lyn LampertLake City
I believe the greatest resource in our community is our community. Lake City has always been a place where neighbors know one another, care for on another, and show up for one another. That’s why I’m starting Neighbor to Neighbor Conversations as a simple effort to continue and strengthen that spirit of neighboring by creating a safe and welcoming place for meaningful conversations about the things affecting our community.These gatherings will not be about having all the answers, debating one another, or trying to change people. They will be about listening, learning, sharing experiences and ideas, encouraging one another, and connecting people with helpful resources. Our first conversations will focus on a question many of us are carrying right now: How are we going to manage everyday life while wondering whether the fire will come into town? We will continue that conversation for as long as it remains needed and helpful. When the time is right, we will move into other topics shaped by the concerns and needs of our community.I envision a vibrant spirit of neighboring in Lake City… here neighbors know and care for one another, and people have the confidence to share what they have, knowing they can make a meaningful difference and helping Lake City flourish. Everyone is welcome to pull up a chair and join the conversation.Neighbor to Neighbor Conversations will meet on the first Tuesday of every month from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Lake City Area Medical Center, 700 North Henson. For more information, email [email protected]. With hope for Lake City,Richard MooreLake City
Wow! Even with a fire on the mountain, a neighborhood evacuated, many Pioneer Jubilee Women’s Club members, donors and supporters gone due to the fire, and a few more bumps in the road, our 2026 Toast to the Mountains was our most successful to date!At a time when our community needed both the fellowship and encouragement, as well as additional funds raised for Lake City non-profits, our constituents showed up.First, endless thanks to our committee chairs: Carrie Pitt and Diane Keeble for our lovely mountain-inspired set-up and décor; Connie Frieze and Melissa Perry for the cash bar, complete with our signature cocktail, the San Cristobal Sunset (generously mixed and provided by Greg Collins); Marjorie Harrigan and Joan Huey for the beautiful and bountiful buffet; Karen Shaw for our fun and fabulous wine pull and whiskey ring toss; Chris Moler and Sandy Murphy for our diverse and delightful silent auction; and our meticulous money-takers, Pamela Evans and Allison Wetzel.And, of course, each of these committees consisted of many volunteers who worked hard and brought their creativity and generosity.The PJWC couldn’t do what we do without our men involved. From set-up to clean-up and everything in between, our guys support us and our crazy ideas to make each of our fundraising events a success.Last but certainly not least, our donors enabled us to make this evening such a success. The majority of PJWC members donate at least one of the following to the Toast: food for the buffet, whiskey and/or wine, decorations, and lots of hours.Our benevolent silent auction donors include Jergens Mountain Homes, Jeff and Chris Moler, Happy Johns, Sandy Murphy, Lynne Darrah, Diane Keeble, Rebecca Romanowski, Harvey DuChene, Marjorie Harrigan, Lake View Properties, Lake City Hinsdale County Chamber of Commerce, Lake City D.I.R.T., Connie Frieze, Cabin Fever Mercantile, Linda Gardiner, Linda Downs, San Juan Soda Company, Lake City Outdoors, Allison Wetzel, Joan Huey, Lori Boykin, Tyler and Melody Crump, Razvan and Bianca Armeanca, Christine and Derek Fletcher, Mike and Dianne Edgemon, Bobby and Sue Beddingfield, Jack and Cristie Reeves, Russ Brown, Peggy and Howard Berg, Anne Coker, Pamela Evans, Betty Touchon, Creede Repertory Theatre, Patrick Thompson, World of Gems, and Alpine Pedal and Paddle.Thank you, donors! Your giving helps make a huge impact on our community.And thank you, Lake City, for showing up, opening your hearts and your wallets, and helping our community through the PJWC grants program! Cheers,2026 PJWC Toast to the Mountains Co-chairsCarrie Pitt, Mary Kay Jergens,and Sue Beddingfield
At the start of her ninth year as Hinsdale Superintendent of Schools, Rebecca Hall is cautiously optimistic as she reviews prospects for the start of 2026-27 school year at Lake City Community School.Superintendent Hall characteristically beams with optimism on the outlook for start of the 144-day school year next Tuesday, August 25, and continued focused work by both school staff and school board.Hall is also excited to introduce two new staff members, Kristen Archuleta as Admin-istrative Assistant and — a first for Lake City — a three-quarter time School Nurse, Melody Crump.Hall’s caution, however, comes with advance planning for potential school-related impacts due to proximity of the ongoing Elk Wildfire.Official first day of school for students at Lake City Community School is 8:15 a.m. Tuesday, August 25, Kindergarten through high school senior, classes Tuesday through Friday each week and a slightly different schedule for the school’s youngest, pre-school scholars.Four-year-old preschoolers, Leigh Parker returning as instructor, convene starting 8 a.m. Tuesday through Friday, while three-year-olds have an 8 a.m. starting time three days per week, Wednesday through Friday.Enrollment statistics for the new year are still being compiled but will be approximately static to last year — 75 students and three 12th Grade graduates at school’s end for the 2025-26 year — for Preschool through High School, latter eight presumptive graduates, in year 2026-27.Upcoming school dates include school board members grilling burgers for the school’s annual start-of-school barbeque starting 4:30 p.m. Thursday, September 3, and further ahead, according to Coach Dan Scroggins, the school’s cross country team hosting Gunnison, Crested Butte, and San Luis Valley counterparts at the Lake City Invitational in downtown Lake City on Friday, September 25.While school year 2026-27 officially commences Tuesday morning next week, Superintendent Hall and school staff were figuratively back in the saddle this week with full-day in-service days in the school’s gymnasium, Wednesday’s all-day topic on the weighty theme “Restorative Practices: Tools and Strategies to Help Build Healthy Relationships, Solve Conflicts, and Repair Harm” with noted San Luis Valley motivational speaker Luke Yoder.Restorative Practices keys in nicely with the overall 2026-27 school theme “rooted in growth” which, according to Hall, is three-pronged: strengthening belonging in terms of student wellness, the second prong being continuing to “persue excellence,” and, finally, “build the future: post secondary work readiness” as the third thematic prong.This week’s in-service schedule for teachers and staff started on an upbeat, reconnecting basis with breakfast on Monday morning at Euphoria Restaurant and was followed later in the week with a Zoom update Tuesday morning on the Elk Fire status and predictions from Hinsdale Emergency Manager Phil Graham, the in-service topics also including half the staff taking CPR training and a half-day SafeTALK on suicide prevention, as well as allowing teachers time to organize their classrooms.At Emergency Manager Phil Graham’s update on Tuesday morning, Superintendent Hall queried Graham as to whether school service suppliers from Gunnison or access to the school by a commuting Powderhorn area teacher might be disrupted on Highway 149 north of town by mud or debris flows as a result of the Elk Fire.Graham predicted “no significant impacts” to the highway are foreseen in the event of a rain deluge on higher elevation areas severely burned by the fire. Due to the topography which includes areas of unburned trees and vegetation between the fire and the highway, it is unlikely debris flows will reach lower elevations. From school science instructor Dan Scroggins, EM Graham was questioned on air quality as a result of smoke from the Elk Fire between now and winter snows. Graham refered to the PurpleAir website and the fact air quality is locally monitored, including one monitor evaluating air quality at Silver Thread Public Health on Third Street.Otherwise, Graham noted the extreme variability of winds and overall atmospherics impacting smoke density. “Smoke,” he said, “is due to intense burning which is not foreseen in coming days. Burn intensity was lower than expected yesterday,” Graham said on Tuesday, “and it is encouraging that there was less smoke than was anticipated.”Hall thanked Graham at the end of his Zoom update, saying “I’m feeling more relaxed.”Graham returned the compliment by praising Hall for her innovative handout, “Elk Fire: What to Expect on School Days” which plots three potential scenarios, green coded days when school classes proceed as normal, but also the potential of what might occur with yellow coded “modified days” in the event pre-evacuation notices are issued, highway travel becomes a concern, or staffing is limited.In the most severe scenario, red, remote learning would occur if the school is evacuated, air quality deteriorates, or Highway 149 is deemed unsafe.In the event of a fire flair up during dry weather later this fall, Superintendent Hall was questioned late last week on how the school would respond.Hall has been apprised of the wildfire status on a daily basis throughout the summer and learned first hand during a succession of three public meetings which were hosted in the school gymnasium in July and August. The first July public meeting was attended by over 350 individuals, far larger than any prior public wildfire meeting scheduled by the federal agencies.Long-term through fall and until snow accumulation, Hall expresses confidence, noting “we’ll have time to make decisions… we’re mindful at the start of school that this has been a different sort of summer.”In the unlikely event classes in the school would be cancelled, administration would fall back on past options, one being busing to Gunnison or, more likely, a switch to remote, online instruction, “one good thing,” Hall days, “which came out of COVID.”Online instruction would be an obvious alternative in the event wildfire resulted in staff or students were evacuated from their homes, some potentially housing with relatives outside the region or even ouf-of-state.On a brighter note, Superintendent Hall’s overview of the upcoming Lake City school year credits ongoing strategic plan review work by Hinsdale School Board Directors Tara Hardy, Phillip Virden, Rob Hudgeons, Camille Richard, and Kristen Carson which this year includes “portrait
Homeowners to the north of Lake City, including San Juan Springs and San Juan Hills, breathed a sigh of relief at 10 a.m. last Friday, August 14, when Elk Wildfire evacuation orders were relaxed, and they were allowed to return to their homes.The week-long evacuation for occupiers of upwards of 41 homes in subdivisions to the north of Lake City began Friday, August 7, and continued until last Friday when Hinsdale County Sheriff Denim Starnes announced a fire readiness code reduction from red/ “go” to yellow/ “get set” in county zones HNS-003A (San Juan Springs) and HNS-005 to the north of Lake City and west of State Highway 149 extending to the Hinsdale/Gunnison county line.While zone HNS-002 to the immediate west of the 7,257-acre wildfire (a reduction as of mid-week due to revised mapping) remains in mandatory evacuation, Lake City and surrounding zones to the east of Highway 149 were similarly relaxed from yellow/ “get set” to green/readiness category.In making last Friday’s announcement, Sheriff Starnes advised the relieved north Lake City homeowners to “remain engaged and alert.”Easing of the evacuation orders and north Lake City residents’ return home is directly tied to wetter, cloudy weather and work on a two-mile fireline in Quadrant G north of Lake City — a 10’ to 14’-wide swath of burnable vegetation removal, roughly a mile, the result of a hotshot crew’s methodic handwork and one mile each to the north and south cleared in tandem by Forest Service and county road crew bulldozers. The new fireline extends from the immediate north of Lake City at the Crystal Lake/Larson Lake Trailhead at IOOF Cemetery and continues northward in circuitous fashion to just above Larson Lakes.The line, according to Section Chief Chris O’Brien, provides an effective barrier for both Lake City and northern subdivisions.Work on the new fireline was a tandem project with Forest Service personnel utilizing a D4 flat track caterpillar on the south end of the line closest to Lake City, while Hinsdale County Road & Bridge’s Tom Hamel and Zarick Waddington used the county’s D7 HiTrac dozer at the northern end closer to Larson Lakes.Work on the new fireline was completed Tuesday, August 18 with hand crew work mid-week continuing the line northward through steep terrain to connect with a rock slope devoid of vegetation and, equipment drop-off point 40 on Highway 149..Scouts were out on Wednesday this week plotting a possible further extension of the fireline from Larson Lakes down toward the highway corridor.In addition to hand and machine clearing, the new fireline takes advantage of natural topography and existing trails as a safety precaution to contain the slowly creeping wildfire which continues to smolder in excessively dry downed timber.As a further fire deterrent and simultaneous with the Larson Lake fireline, a second fireline extension is being constructed by handcrews — with plans for completion later this week — to the northeast of the fire in consolidated Quadrant A (formerly Alpha and X-Ray) which will extend a mile east to the Highway 149 corridor in the vicinity of High Bridge Gulch. This northeastern fireline is adjacent to four hunting cabins which remain secure.Detailed contingency plans are also in place by an initial attack group in the event the fire crosses Highway 149 to the east, Section Chief O’Brien stating “we’re ready to go at a moment’s notice.”Low intensity fire is reported in unstaffed quadrants M and J to the immediate west and southwest of the fireO’Brien is part of Rocky Mountain Complex Incident Management Team 2 which effective Saturday afternoon, August 22, is succeeded by Type 3 Wyoming Team 2.With relatively static conditions, fire personnel as of Wednesday has dropped slightly, from 253 the first of the week to 223 personnel Thursday, the majority of whom are still headquartered at fire camp on the lower Lake Fork Whinnery Ranch.The Elk Fire is not a complete burn, Rocky Mountain Complex Incident Management Team 2 reporting that even after burning, “patches of blackened stems interspersed with green trees remain in areas where the fire has burned through surface fuels beneath the canopy. Large-diameter logs are smoldering and retain heat which is reignited during windy, hot, or dry conditions… during particularly hot, dry, and windy periods, unburned fuels within the perimeter may ignite, producing smoke and visible flames.”The fire team’s report this week repeats the need for patience in the face of what it terms “fire fatigue.”“Firefighters are doing everything they can to establish containment as quickly as possible so that life can return to normalcy. Rocky Mountain Team 2 sincerely appreciates the continued patience and gracious hospitality of local residents. Unfortunately, it will likely be some time yet before the Elk Fire is declared ‘out’.”Despite static conditions with the smoldering wildfire, handcrews are keeping a wary eye on Independence Gulch above Highway 149 where there is smoke, together with confirmation of hot spots from an unmanned aerial drone. The apparently downward creeping fire is indicative of a “stringer” in which normally upward moving fire gradually works downwards among tree and vegetation-clogged gulches.Hinsdale Emergency Manager Phil Graham was queried by telephone on Tuesday afternoon as to the exact criteria which was used in relaxing evacuation orders last week and allowing north subdivision owners to return to their homes.Graham credits Hinsdale Sheriff Starnes for making last Friday’s welcome announcement, the EM adding intense collaborative teamwork going into the decision by members of Rocky Mountain Complex Incident Management Team 2, Hinsdale County Commissioners, Emergency Manager Graham, and federal partners.Graham emphasizes that the decision to allow homeowners to return to their homes was not made lightly and is based on a trio of factors including current status of the fire, present conditions on the ground, and the outlook for weather and associated fire conditions in the future.“We take into account all resources which are available,” says Graham, including an indepth Forest Service computer application, FSPro, which combines predicted fire behavior in terms of long-term weather forecast and — given those factors —the percentage chance in which direction