Meet In CommonNews

Local news in and around Gypsum, CO

Eagle Valley Enterprise · Gypsum, CO

Sheriff’s Office reports death from single person car crash in Gypsum

The Eagle County Sheriff’s Office responded to a single-vehicle crash in Gypsum on the evening of Nov. 12 around 8 p.m., according to a social media post from the ECSO. The crash took place on the intersection of GIlder Way and Cooley Mesa Rd. When the deputies arrived at the scene, they found the driver and sole occupant of the vehicle to be deceased. The statement revealed the driver was an adult man, but no other identification has been revealed. No cause of the crash has been listed but speed is being considered as a factor. According to the post, the Colorado State Patrol will be assisting with the investigation. “Our thoughts and prayers are with those affected by this loss,” the post from the ECSO said.

Eagle Valley Enterprise · Eagle, CO

Nearby: Eagle, CO

Celebration of life planned for beloved Eagle Valley High School coach

The Eagle Valley athletic community lost one of its most admired coaches earlier this fall. A celebration of life for Genaro “Jerry” Phillips will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday at the Eagle Valley High School cafeteria. The beloved track coach died suddenly on Sept. 15 at the age of 69, leaving behind his wife of 44 years, Lesa, and his four daughters, Mary, Samantha, Kayla and Angela. Phillips arrived in Eagle County in the early ’80s. Eagle Valley track coach Myriah Blair, who had four kids come through the team, first met him 16 years ago when she started a youth track club. “Without hesitation, Jerry was more than willing to jump in and help in any way he could,” Blair said. “Little did I know then just how much of an impact he would have on our family and so many others in this community.” Phillips started coaching pole vaulters at Eagle Valley High School in the early 2000s.

Eagle Valley Enterprise · Eagle, CO

Nearby: Eagle, CO

State says Aurora Water must provide more water quality info about Homestake in Wild Horse bid

Persistent questions from Eagle County stakeholders concerned about dwindling water supplies during an ongoing megadrought have already forced one comment extension as the state considers a key permit for Aurora Water’s proposed Wild Horse Reservoir in Park County. Now it appears those same unanswered questions about water quality data and modeling — specifically how much Homestake Creek water in Eagle County will be used to fill Wild Horse and when — will force a second extension of the public comment period. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, which is considering the first-ever Regulation 87 dredge-and-fill permit application for the proposed 95,000-acre-foot Wild Horse Reservoir, filed a notice earlier this month indicating an extension of its extension. The original deadline for public comment was Oct. 5, and that was extended to Nov. 19.

Snowmass Village Sun · Glenwood Springs, CO

Nearby: Glenwood Springs, CO

Glenwood Springs City Council unanimously approves $116 million budget for 2027

Glenwood Springs City Council unanimously approved the city’s $116 million budet for 2027 during its regular meeting on Thursday, Nov. 5, concluding a five-month process that began in June. The discussion and subsequent approval took less than 10 minutes, reflecting months of work by council members, city staff, commissions and the city’s Financial Advisory Board. “This represents five months of scrutiny, preparation, and review by not only council, but by commissions and our financial advisory board,” council member Sumner Schachter said during the meeting. The $116 million budget was presented during an Oct. 1 meeting, when City Manager Steve Boyd described the city’s financial plan for next year as a “keep-it-running budget.” “This is a lean budget, and you all should be proud of it,” Boyd said during his October presentation.

Snowmass Village Sun · Carbondale, CO

Nearby: Carbondale, CO

Preps: Roaring Fork soccer season comes to an end; Basalt football heads to quarterfinals

The Roaring Fork High School boys soccer team’s playoff run came to an end Wednesday night. The No. 3 seed Rams fell 1-0 to No. 2 DSST: Conservatory Green in the Class 3A semifinals in Lakewood. The Rams entered the game without several key members following Saturday’s quarterfinal victory over No. 6 Eagle Ridge Academy in Carbondale. Senior defender Michael Parada was sidelined after receiving a red card, while fellow defender Randy Candela, who also received a red card Saturday, was cleared to play after successfully appealing his ejection. Perhaps the Rams’ most significant absence, however, was head coach Nick Forbes, who was also shown a red card during the quarterfinal matchup. Adapting to play without Parada presented some challenges for the Rams. “As a team in the playoffs, you have got to overcome those kinds of things, and this team turned out to be one step too far for us,” Forbes said. Despite these setbacks, the Rams kept it to 0-0 throughout the first half.

Eagle Valley Enterprise · Avon, CO

Nearby: Avon, CO

Opinion | Rosmarino and Underwood: Dowd Junction shows how Colorado can build housing for its workforce

In Eagle County, like so many mountain communities across Colorado, the people who teach our children, care for patients, maintain roads and keep businesses running increasingly struggle to find attainable housing near their jobs. The county estimates it will need 6,375 additional affordable workforce housing units over the coming decade, nearly half of them in the Avon-Vail corridor. If the people who make our communities work cannot afford to stay, those communities lose more than workers. They lose the vibrancy, character and the foundational stability that dedicated community members provide. The town of Avon and the Colorado State Land Board are working together to change that at Dowd Junction. Following years of planning with neighboring governments and service providers, the State Land Board agreed to transfer trust land to Avon so the town can build desperately needed community housing.

Eagle Valley Enterprise · Vail, CO

Nearby: Vail, CO

Help solve the mystery as ‘Clue’ takes the stage at Vail Mountain School

Enjoy a little mysterious entertainment with the Vail Mountain School Upper School Standard Play class as it presents “Clue” this weekend. The popular whodunit board game will come to life on stage, having you guess if the murder was Professor Plum with a wrench in the library, Miss Scarlet with the candlestick in the ballroom or Col. Mustard with a revolver in the dining room who committed the murder at the mansion. Each year, the Upper School Standard Play class engages in a collaborative process to select the production they will bring to the audience. Throughout this process, students explore a wide variety of possibilities, including comedies, dramas and mysteries, before ultimately deciding on a show that will be both entertaining and engaging for the audience as well as an enjoyable and rewarding experience for the cast and crew. “‘Clue’ is a wonderfully fun play to produce, filled with humor, mystery and memorable characters.

Eagle Valley Enterprise · Vail, CO

Nearby: Vail, CO

New and returning scholarships at Vail Mountain School promote community participation among students

To cultivate future leaders, Vail Mountain School aims to give students every chance they can get. The East Vail private school recently announced a new scholarship for student leaders along with the reinstatement of its well-known Taft Conlin Scholarship. Both awards are merit-based. The Emerging Leaders Scholarship will provide a 50% tuition discount for a student’s entire tenure in the VMS Upper School from ninth through 12th grades. The award honors students who demonstrate leadership achievements, from quiet advocacy to entrepreneurial thinking. “We have so many incredible young people in the Vail Valley,” said Kristen Olsen, director of strategic enrollment at VMS. “These scholarships are intended to celebrate this talent and to open up the VMS opportunity to students who are ready to make a positive impact on our school and the broader community.” What sets this application apart from your average student petition are two key elements.

Snowmass Village Sun · Aspen, CO

Nearby: Aspen, CO

Mountain Mayhem: Foy Vance returns to Aspen

The last time musician Foy Vance played Aspen, the altitude got the better of him. “What I remember from playing here — there was an oxygen tank,” Vance said, recalling his past headlining show in 2023 and his 2014 show with Brett Dennen, both at Belly Up. “Didn’t think I’d need it. Then I did!” Now, Vance is returning “for the first time in a long time,” bringing the North American leg of his 60-date 2026 Foy Vance World Tour to the Wheeler Opera House on Thursday, Nov. 19. From Aspen, the tour heads to Boulder’s Fox Theatre on Friday, then to the Gothic Theatre in Denver on Saturday. I recently caught up with him by phone at his home in Scotland, where he was between two records — one just out, one just beginning to arrive. In March, he released “The Wake,” his seventh studio album, on Rounder Records.

New York Observer · Aspen, CO

Nearby: Aspen, CO

How the Alps Became Part of Luxury Watch Culture

Hublot ski goggles, showcasing a stainless-steel Hublot Big Bang Zermatt chronograph on a gray strap with the snow-covered Matterhorn peak in the background" width="970" height="776" data-caption='The limited-edition Hublot Big Bang Steel Zermatt celebrates the brand’s connection to the Swiss Alpine resort town and the Matterhorn. Photo: Laurent Xavier Moulin, courtesy Hublot'> In the Swiss resort town of Zermatt, Hublot has a boutique built in the traditional Alpine style, a cable car bearing its name and a longstanding partnership with the local tourism office. The watchmaker even serves as official timekeeper for Chez Vrony, a mountain restaurant overlooking the Matterhorn. On the slopes, Longines has spent more than a century measuring ski races down to fractions of a second, developing technology that tracks not just finishing times but how fast athletes move down the mountain. From Gstaad and St.

Snowmass Village Sun · Aspen, CO

Nearby: Aspen, CO

RFTA adds 45% more seats for morning commuters from El Jebel to Aspen

The Roaring Fork Transportation Authority will transition to its winter bus schedule on Nov. 23 — bringing 45% more seats than the typical winter schedule for mid-valley morning commuters between El Jebel and Aspen. The change will add five VelociRFTA buses headed up-valley to the schedule between 6:15 and 7:45 a.m, starting at El Jebel Park and Ride. RFTA Public Information Officer Jamie Tatsuno said the decision to add these “fresh start” buses is based on feedback from riders, drivers and supervisors. “By the time our BRT buses get midvalley, they’re full, and those midvalley passengers boarding on the bus have to stand or wait for another bus,” Tatsuno said. “We’re also assigning larger capacity buses to our busiest morning trips.” She added that additional routes added over the summer were unable to keep up with passenger demand. “We added summer routes as well, but it wasn’t enough. So now, we’re doing it again,” she said.

Snowmass Village Sun · Aspen, CO

Nearby: Aspen, CO

‘The Carpenters Songbook’ brings 1970s music back to Aspen

Upon being asked to try out for Karen Carpenter, vocalist and actress Christina Hélène Braa discovered they shared the same birthday and were both born in Connecticut. That small detail gave Braa confidence going into the audition, with the hopes that Carpenter was rooting for her in spirit. She landed the role. Now, Right Angle Entertainment and Maple Tree Entertainment will show “The Carpenters Songbook: A Live Celebration” from 3 to 5:20 p.m. Nov. 15 at the Wheeler Opera house — with six performers blending songs and storytelling in a cozy, living room-style setting. “The music of The Carpenters has a unique ability to transport people back to some of life’s most meaningful moments,” co-producer Dean Elliott, who is also known for creating “The Simon & Garfinkel Story,” said in a press release.

Snowmass Village Sun · Aspen, CO

Nearby: Aspen, CO

Lo-Fidelity: Powder panic? Try powder rage

If you thought the irrational, borderline dangerous rush to ski powder commonly referred to as the “Powder Panic” was bad in years past, just wait until you see the total frenzy unleashed in Aspen on the first powder day this year. Coming off last year’s drought ski season, there’s a palpable, pent-up “powder rage” brewing. This year, all that anger and irrational behavior to get there first is going to be boosted. I can already feel the angst surging in my bones. Powder’s a potent drug. I’ve very nearly died under its influence. Powder is a fickle commodity that will have you begging forgiveness, borrowing trouble and stealing away at daybreak to cop a line. If you skin up before Thanksgiving to get a fix, make sure you have good health insurance before you go. I used to be that guy. Now I wait for the snowcats, patrol, bootpackers and other skiers do the preparatory work for me. You won’t see me skiing a black run when the rope drops for the first time.

Snowmass Village Sun · Aspen, CO

Nearby: Aspen, CO

Arts and Entertainment Agenda, Nov. 13 to 19

‘Cinderella,’ Nov. 13 A classic fairytale with a twist will open a milestone season for Aspen Community Theatre. The company’s production of the 2013 version of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s “Cinderella’ will launch its 50th anniversary season at 7 p.m. Nov. 13 at Aspen District Theatre, 235 High School Road. Performances run Nov. 13-22. Tickets are $38.50 for adults and $28.50 for youth ages 18 and under. For more information, visit aspenshowtix.com/event/aspen-community-theater-rodgers-hammersteins-cinderella. DanceAspen ‘Free Community Moves,’ Nov. 14 Keep moving with a free community dance class each Saturday from November through February. DanceAspen will host “Free Community Moves,” led by Tyler Kerbel, from 10 to 11:15 a.m. at the Red Brick Center for the Arts, 110 E. Hallam Ave. It’s open to ages 14 and older. Each class blends contemporary and jazz, from beginners to advanced skill levels. Space is limited. For more information, visit dance-aspen.org/events.

Snowmass Village Sun · Aspen, CO

Nearby: Aspen, CO

Aspen saw visitation increase this September over last

The Aspen Resort Chamber Association released its October 2026 Destination Marketing Report on Friday, with data on visitor traffic at information centers, lodging occupancy and airport passenger data throughout September. According to Aspen City Council Member Sam Rose, ACRA’s destination marking reports are important for providing essential insight into Aspen’s visitation trends that impact the local economy. “This information helps inform our economic outlook, expectations for future tourism numbers and budget planning,” Rose told The Aspen Times. He added, “visitation is essential to Aspen’s economy and way of life.” ACRA’s four visitor information centers experienced a 36.2% increase in traffic this September compared to September 2025, and staff assisted 14,411 individuals, according to the report. Daily counts ranged from approximately 60 to 160 visitors a day.

Snowmass Village Sun · Aspen, CO

Nearby: Aspen, CO

PHOTOS: Pitkin County, Aspen honor their veterans in annual ceremony

Pitkin County hosted its annual Veterans Day ceremony on Wednesday in Aspen. This included the reading of two proclamations by Pitkin County Commissioner Jeffrey Woodruff, who recognized both Charles Hopton (Army/Korean War) and Dan Glidden (Navy/Vietnam War), each a longtime local who has had an immense impact on the Aspen community. Local Scouts led the laying of the wreath and the Pledge of Allegiance, while Hopton delivered the opening remarks. Pitkin County Manager Kara Silbernagel and Aspen Fire Chaplain Roy Holloway also briefly spoke. Aspen Fire Chief Jake Andersen gave the roll call of area men killed in action. Kathy Pelowski sang the National Anthem and John Bokrom performed on trumpet. The Aspen Elks Lodge hosted a community luncheon following the ceremony. The American flag waves in the wind atop the Elks building on Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2026, in Aspen. Aspen Elks Lodge hosted the community luncheon following Pitkin County’s Veterans Day ceremony.

Snowmass Village Sun · Aspen, CO

Nearby: Aspen, CO

Aspen advances $337.7 million budget for 2027

Editor’s note: this article has been updated to reflect Andrew Kramer is the deputy director of finance for the city of Aspen. Aspen City Council unanimously approved a resolution on first reading Tuesday that advanced the city’s 2027 spending plan, authorizing approximately $337.7 million in spending across municipal funds, pending final approval. “This budget is very tightly aligned with council’s priorities and the major projects set out in the strategic plan over the last couple of years,” city of Aspen Deputy Director of Finance Andrew Kramer said. “This money continues, at your direction, to put significant fund balances to use to advance those priorities.” A significant portion of the proposed budget will go toward the city’s priority projects, including Armory Hall, the Lumberyard affordable housing project, the Entrance to Aspen and improvements to Aspen’s water treatment facility, according to previous reporting by The Aspen Times.

Snowmass Village Sun · Aspen, CO

Nearby: Aspen, CO

Aspen Community Theatre brings a modern twist to ‘Cinderella’

A little magic is coming to the Aspen Community Theatre to celebrate its 50th anniversary. The 2013 Broadway version of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein’s “Cinderella” will run Nov. 13 to 22 at the Aspen District Theatre. Performances begin at 7 p.m. Nov. 13, 14, 20 and 21, with matinees at 2 p.m. Nov. 15, 21 and 22. “We really wanted to focus on making it an outstanding production,” producer Travis Lane McDiffett told The Aspen Times. “The components of the production we brought in were worthy of a 50th anniversary production.” Eva Rudow stars as Ella, also known as Cinderella, alongside Gabriel Travers as Prince Topher. Brad Moore directs, and McDiffett produces it. Music director and educator Dory Light leads the music. Jenna Koch serves as stage manager, Colleen Fawley designs the costumes and Lorne Wilder handles lighting. Rodgers and Hammerstein wrote “Cinderella” for television in 1957, starring Julie Andrews.