NEWS | COMMUNITY | SPORTS | CULTURE | OPINION D BU ESTE TTE R NE E C W H S T ’ CrCrestedested ButtButtee NNewsews See page 20 the News never sleeps | www.crestedbuttenews.com VOL.60 | NO.50 | DECEMBER 11, 2020 | 50¢ National Guard/county to provide free COVID tests Vaccines expected in Colorado within the next two weeks [ BY KATHERINE NETTLES ] Gunnison County has coordinated with the U.S. National Guard to set up a free mobile community testing event next week. The Curative test using PCR technol- ogy will show individuals a snapshot of if they are actively infected with the COV- ID-19 virus. The event will be free and open to anyone who wishes to receive a test. The first test is scheduled for Thursday, December 17 from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Crested Butte Fire Station #4 (Buckhorn Airport), 104 S. Avion Drive. The second THE QUEEN LIVES: The Silver Queen Express lift began turning on Tuesday, December 8. That view sure never gets old. With snow test is scheduled for Friday, December 18 from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Gunnison Coun- finally in the forecast, here’s to filling in all those patches for peak skiing soon. photo by Nolan Blunck ty Fairgrounds. For both testing events, lines will close at 5 p.m., but those in line at 5 will get tested. Verzuh Ranch School superintendent Nichols The December 7 county update remind- ed people that more tests, even positive public access selected for statewide task force ones, don’t necessarily equal more public health restrictions but do help prevent the Goal to offer in-person see schools open for in-person learn- spread among asymptomatic cases, leading trail to remain learning second semester ing. “The classroom is one of the safest to overall lower rates. places,” he said during a press confer- “There is a perception that more posi- [ BY KENDRA WALKER ] ence announcing the task force in late tive tests mean more restrictions,” the up- unchanged in the November. “We want to do all we can in date stated. “Our local Coronameter system Despite most of Colorado’s school that controlled environment to not have looks at multiple data points before mov- districts having shifted to virtual learn- an additional semester as chaotic as this ing to tighter restrictions. An increase in new year ing as COVID-19 cases rise, Gunnison one.” positive cases alone doesn’t lead to more Watershed School District’s COVID-19 The task force has been meeting restrictions. In fact, our case rate and posi- New cattle guards and access safety protocols have allowed our com- virtually and the goal is to gather rec- tivity work in concert. While we might ommendations to the governor by early gate; future decision on closure munity’s students to continue in-person catch some additional positive cases with learning. It’s the district’s thoughtful next week. “We will continue to meet still in the works our upcoming community testing event, we leadership in handling safe education into January to work on other pieces of also likely will see many additional nega- during the pandemic that has served as the puzzle to get kids back to school,” [ BY KATHERINE NETTLES ] tive tests that would drive our positivity a model across the state, so much so that said Nichols. The task force is broken down.” After a great deal of community feed- district superintendent Leslie Nichols into three subcommittees; Nichols is co- has been asked to serve on a “back-to- chairing one with Eagle County Public back and discourse, some minor changes Vaccine update school task force” established by Gover- Health director Heath Harmon. “We are to the Verzuh public trail are coming to- “We’ve got some great news related to nor Jared Polis to help Colorado districts looking at classroom conditions, student gether for spring, with a main theme be- the COVID vaccine,” said Gunnison Coun- - - ing one of compromise. The current pub- offer in-person learning as much as pos configurations and quarantine guid ty public health director Joni Reynolds on sible during the second semester at the ance,” said Nichols. lic pedestrian and bicycle access (without December 3 during the weekly town hall beginning of 2021. “It’s been an interesting process to dogs) along McCormick Ranch Road will update, which focused on vaccine updates Polis created the task force in an ef- have these conversations and wrap my remain unchanged in 2021; however, a and planning. fort to provide more hands-on support head around how other districts are gate and new cattle guards will be in- Phase One for allocating and admin- for school districts. The group includes struggling,” said Nichols. “It’s really stalled. istering a COVID vaccine is approaching shined a light on what’s working well Crested Butte town council reviewed public health officials, school board quickly. The FDA Emergency Advisory members, educators and parents to for us,” she said, attributing success to these latest developments during their Committee was scheduled to meet Decem- work together to look at protocols and students, parents and staff taking the December 7 meeting. ber 10 to discuss releasing the first vaccine The owners of the Verzuh Open examples of what has worked so far. district’s risk reduction toolkit seriously, and commitment to contact tracing and by Pfizer, along with Pfizer’s supporting Space, Wynn and Ryan Martens, ap- “We want to find recommendations data and the FDA guidelines associated to help more kids in the state be more in the leadership from Gunnison County proached the Crested Butte Town Coun- with it. Moderna will follow suit one week cil in August with a proposal to re-route person, and do that safely and sustain- Public Health director Joni Reynolds. ably,” said Nichols. “It’s not rocket science what we’re do- later with the same process, but has pre- and reconfigure some of the public trails dicted it will have fewer initial doses avail- on their property to better balance wild- Polis has left the decision to remain ing—it’s commitment,” said Nichols. open up to each individual school dis- able for distribution. life, regenerative agriculture and grow- trict, but he has expressed the desire to CONTINUED ON PAGE 15 ing recreation needs. Their property is CONTINUED ON PAGE 11 part of an established easement permit- ting public use, but the Martens have ex- pressed interest in reclamation work on [ OvOverhearderheard ] the wetlands in the area. The Martens’ proposal included dis- “I need to keep a beer continuing public recreational use of Mc- in my mailbox so I can Cormick Ranch Road and instead creat- shop | give | dine drink while I wait in ing a replacement trail route along the north side of the Martens property for 16 10 these long lines.” public use. -overheard in the post office Avy Awareness Stay WarmShop local CONTINUED ON PAGE 14 and appy holiday season! The Crested Butte News continues to Shop Local encourage you to shop locally! These few pages contain a with selection of great ideas from our community’s entrepreneurs, Mountain ranging from gift certificates to featured gear and inventory specials, Fireplace Specialists health and fitness goals, events and more! ‘Tis the season, so as you think about gifts, think local. Butte Bucks are good through December Showroom Fireplace Sales, 13 and there is a Shop Local Holiday Walk on Saturday, December 12 515 W. Tomichi Installation & from 11-3 p.m. Please follow social distance protocols. Gunnison Enjoy a safe and healthy holiday season, thank you to all for Service keeping it in the valley! www.mountainfireplace.com Jill Clair, Publisher Crested Butte News NOW OPEN FOR YOUR HOLIDAY SHOPPING NEEDS. CAN’T WAIT TO SEE YOU! GREAT GIFTS FOR THE CYCLIST IN YOUR LIFE: Bells. Lights.Tools. Unique Bike Jewelry. Cleaning Kits. And NEW Townie Inventory! 207 Elk Ave, CB | bigalsbicycleheaven.com | 970.349.0515 AlleAlleyy Hats SANSANTATA SASAYSYS ‘‘Come on down for your hats, Carry-out or come sit with us in our down-to-earth bistro with scarves and socks!” authentic Himalayan food served quickly and kindly. MerrMerryy Christmas.Christmas...Ho..Ho Ho Ho! DON’T FORGET TO SHOP LOCAL... own of CB: 5 - 6 p.m. • Mt. CB Ar 6 - 7 p.m. • Rural CB: 7 - 8 p.m. 349-6277•318 Elk Avenue Open Tuesday thru Sunday noon - 9 p.m. & Mondays 5 - 9 p.m. 313 Third Street · 970.349.0443 2 | December 11, 2020 EDITEDITORIALORIAL Crested Butte News Observations of the hill in early season WWORLDORLD NEWNEWSS Crested Butte Mountain Resort WORLD has been open a couple of weeks now. Australia gears up for the great koala count And it’s different. It’s a little quieter In November, the Australian government announced that it would - than last year. It’s a little more struc commit 2 million Australian dollars ($1.5 million U.S.) to fund an au- tured than in years past. It’s a little dit of its koala species, and would use new methods to do so. When more sanitized—literally—and that’s the count begins, heat-seeking drones, acoustic surveys and detec- saying something since the shiny Vail tor dogs will be deployed. Individuals will don hiking boots and Resorts has been running the show head out into the bush for some koala spotting. Many will also look for a few seasons now. And you know for koala droppings. Estimates of koala populations have histori- what, it’s all okay… cally varied wildly.