Wednesday letters: RFTA gratitude, Highway 82 safety, thanks to CMC for hosting cycling championship and more
RFTA a blessing for the valley
I’m an 80 year old male, and this week I was left without wheels as my car is (still) in the shop. I had some critical therapy and doctor appointments which I didn’t want to miss and living up 133 made me rely too much on friends, so I got rides into Carbondale and took RAFTA to my appointments and shopping.
What a blessing this valley has for bus service. Great, pleasant, friendly drivers. Excellent schedules (never waited too long, even late at night when I returned from Denver with Bustang). Comfortable buses. Congrats to all who put this wonderful program together. Thank you.
Dean Pappas, Carbondale
Thanks to all supporters of the high school athletes that competed in the cycling championship recently
Last weekend, 932 student-athletes representing 87 teams celebrated the joy of mountain biking, and friendly competition at the 2024 Colorado High School Cycling League State Championship. The stunning backdrop of Mount Sopris, challenging trails, and nearby camping make this a spectacular venue for the season finale.
We are indebted to Colorado Mountain College (CMC) Spring Valley Campus for hosting our community. The campus staff built upon the success of the 2022 and 2023 State Championships held here. This event is a direct result of the initiative of Jeanne Golay, CMC Foundation Regional Development Officer, former Olympian, and former Head Coach of the Glenwood Springs mountain bike team. Golay coordinated community partners to improve the trail system and camping area. These partners include Catena Foundation, Garfield County, Roaring Fork School District, Grand River Construction, and Roaring Fork Rentals. Johann Aberger, CMC Professor of Outdoor Education, contributed many hours to ensure the trail was in excellent condition.
Congratulations to Colorado Rocky Mountain School (CRMS) for successfully defending the Division 1 title among 20 teams. Roaring Fork placed 12th and Glenwood Springs earned 14th in the Division 2 team competition with 23 teams participating. Aspen/Basalt raced to 4th against 43 Division 3 teams. Local standouts include CRMS riders Hazel Lazar, 4th in Varsity girls, Canyon Cherney and Lucas Berry, 4th, and 5th in Varsity boys. Finnegan McDermott and Drew O’Keefe were top CRMS point earners, 2nd and 3rd in the JV boys category.
Dr. Kelly Humphrey, Spring Valley Vice President/Campus Dean welcomed the community. We are very grateful to the incredible CMC staff, notably Kris Hussong, Dirk Bockelman, Erick Armentrout, Brit Rasmussen, and Brian Martin, Sodexo.
John Stelzriede, Alpine Bank Market President, presented 7 team travel scholarships. Big thanks to the City of Glenwood Springs for event funding and to Kristen Heath, Roaring Fork Cycling for operating the camping. Many thanks for supporting positive youth development.
Kate Rau, Boulder
Safety improvements need to be prioritized for Highway 82
At what point will our elected officials take meaningful action to improve the safety of Colorado Highway 82?
While our community is unique in many ways, our shared reliance on this highway forms the backbone of our lives in the Roaring Fork Valley. Highway 82 connects us to work, recreation, groceries, schools, and, ultimately, to the world beyond our remarkable community.
As our communities grow and evolve, Highway 82’s design has remained largely unchanged. The last significant improvements were made nearly 25 years ago, yet since then, traffic volume on the highway has risen by 23 percent. Without corresponding updates to accommodate this growth, both the frequency and severity of accidents have increased.
In 2023 alone, CDOT crash data for Garfield and Pitkin Counties show that 408 accidents were reported on Highway 82— making up roughly 18 percent of all traffic accidents in both counties. These incidents resulted in one fatality and 95 injuries, with nearly a third of the accidents occurring at intersections and 84 involving wildlife.
Given our collective reliance on Highway 82, perhaps it’s time to demand that our elected officials prioritize improving the safety and condition of this essential lifeline for our valley. Let’s ensure this vital roadway keeps pace with our community’s needs and remains a safe route for everyone.
Dallas Blaney, Carbondale
‘More than enough people living in our valley’
The Glenwood Springs Post Independent just ran a story on the purchase of existing apartments by Habitat for Humanity. I believe this is the correct approach to providing less expensive accommodations.
This is not a new approach. Business owners have been making purchases in the market for their employees for many years. It is encouraging to see that the necessary funds came from a variety of local organizations. I would differ on one point.
I suggest that some or all of these 88 units remain rentals. The current residents of this building are already working in the community. Perfect. The purchase of this complex permits the maintenance of below market rents. Lower rents could allow these residents to make savings for future purchases. Their rent money pays for maintenance and restocks the financing. Also, not all of these people are planning on being long term residents.
More importantly, and controversially, this community should not want to encourage them to stay. There is a central flaw in building new affordable housing. It generates growth. New growth leads to more housing shortage. As they say, “you can’t build your way out of a housing shortage.”
More growth in housing and in the business sector means more residents. More residents means more infrastructure must be built and maintained. One example is the half cent sales tax that Glenwood is asking for to maintain roads and utilities. Sales tax is regressive in that it punishes low-income people. There are more than enough people living in our valley. Growth is not inevitable.
Patrick Hunter, Carbondale
Thanks to volunteers who helped clean up Highway 82
My sincere thanks to the wonderful volunteers who chose to help with Colorado Highway 82 cleanup this past Sunday. Linda Consuegra, Erin Hutchins, Linda Loeschen, Bill and Sue Mason and Lynne Haynes each gave of their time to make our part of Highway 82 beautiful again. You are true “Friends of 82.”
Many thanks also to Jake and the staff at White House Pizza for your kindness and support. Our go-to place for great food and terrific service.
With heartfelt gratitude,
Steph Brown, Glenwood Springs
Editor’s note: The Post Independent ran the last round of election letters submitted by the Oct. 23 deadline in the Monday, Oct. 28 newspaper. We’ll begin running political letters again following the Tuesday, Nov. 5 election.
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