WESTERN STATE COLORADO UNIVERSITY

Taylor Hall and Tenderfoot Mtn at WSCU
photo copyright protected

Western State College is celebrating a new milestone in its history on Wednesday, August 1, 2012.  In keeping with the school's tradition of pursuing and providing academic excellence, Western State College of Colorado officially becomes "Western State Colorado University".
After being established in 1901 as the first college on Colorado's Western Slope, and the 4th college in the entire state, the school opened for classes in 1911.  The first buildings were constructed on land donated by the town.  In 1923, the school officially became Western State College of Colorado, and through the subsequent years has expanded their academic programming.
The City of Guunison and the College have a long-standing tradition of cooperation.  Improvements to the school's infrastructure have been accomplished through shared resources.  Many citizens of the Gunnison Valley are alumni of WSC.  They attended the college and decided there is no better place to live, recreate, start businesses and raise a family.  The community benefits not only from the

economic impact of the students, but from the availability of high-quality programs, concerts, plays, lecures, facilities, and continuing education classes.

The City Council and citizens of the City of Gunnison wish Western State Colorado University success in their future endeavors and look forward to a shared vision of excellence. 

Colorado State Swim Meet

The Colorado State Swim Meet will be held in Gunnison at the Community/Aquatics Center from Friday, August 3rd through Sunday, August 5th. 
The facility will have limited hours open to the public during the meet.  The closures are as follows:

Friday, August 3rd:  Facility, including pools, is OPEN 6am to 8am.  Swimming Pools closed 8am to 5pm and open 5pm to 7:45pm; Gym closed 12 to 8pm.  The climbing wall & game room open from 12-7pm.

Saturday August 4th:  The entire facility, including the swimming pools, is CLOSED all day

Sunday, August 5th:  Entire facility including pools is closed from 6am to 5pm.  The swimming pools and facility will re-open from 5pm to 7:45pm, however the climbing wall is closed.

We are sorry for any inconveneience this may cause.  For more information please call 641-8060. 

Base Camp to History

The City of Gunnison is the Base Camp to the Rocky Mountains.  In the surrounding Rocky Mountains are not only a plethora of outdoor recreation opportunities and stunning scenic vistas, but a treasure trove of history just waiting to be discovered! 
Start your day in Base Camp Gunnison by fueling up on a hearty and delicious breakfast at one of the local restaurants.  Then grab a latte, mocha, espresso or a plain cup of "joe" at one of the locally-owned coffee shops and start your discovery in Gunnison with a walking or biking tour of the historic buildings.  Get a brochure of these eclectic and fascinating old buildings at www.cityofgunnison-co.gov/Community%20Development/programs/historic_walking_tour_brochure.pdf  

Downtown Gunnison in the 1880's


Now that you've wetted your appetite for the Valley's history, visit the Gunnison Pioneer Museum, located on East Tomichi (US Hwy 50) across from McDonalds, for an in-depth look at local history.  There's information on when Gunnison was the Base Camp for archaic hunter-gathers who stayed in the Valley thousands of years ago.  Archaeological evidence of their presence is found just south of the city up on W-Mountain.  Continue forward in history at the Museum and learn about when Gunnison was the Base Camp for Ute Indian hunting parties, and then for the hardy early ranchers.  Gunnison's Base Camp role really kicked into high gear when it served as the supply center for the mining camps located in the Elk Mountains to the north and then the San Juan Mountains to the south.  The railroads rushed to serve the growing towns. You can even ring the bell on one of the early narrow-gauge locomotives at the museum.
In later years, Gunnison was the Base Camp for the Valley's ranching community, for summertime fishermen who came to the "Land of the Rainbow" to pursue the wiley rainbow trout, for the construction workers on the Wayne Aspinall Unit dams located west of Gunnison on the river, and consistently since 1912, the Base Canp for the college students at Western State College of Colorado.
After your museum visit, purchase a picnic lunch, fill up the gas tank in town, and head into the hills to visit some of the historic mining towns, millsites and even the awe-inspiring Alpine Railroad Tunnel, www.narrowgauge.org/alpine-tunnel/html/index.html  located in the area.  Some sites are populated towns and some are  now "ghost towns".  A brochure showing historic circle tours of the area can be obtained at the Gunnison Chamber of Commerce located in Legion Park across the highway from the Pioneer Museum.  For more info go to www.gunnison-co.com/index.php?pid=historicsites  
Remember to respect private property, take lots of pictures and leave only light footprints at these historic sites. 
Enjoy your day seeing and learning about the history of the area and Gunnison's long-time role as historic Base Camp to the Rocky Mountains.

Summer Tennis Session 2

Summer Tennis lessons for youth and adults will start on Tuesday, July 31st at the Char Mar Park Tennis Courts.
Youth tennis will be taught by Jaylen Mussleman.  Classes will be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays from July 31st to August 23rd.  5-8 year olds will meet from 9am to 10am;  and 9 to 13 year olds will meet from 10am to 11am.  The cost is $49.00 for Community Center Members and $51 for Non-Members.

Adult tennis will be taught by Kristi Murtaugh.  Classes will be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays from Tuesday, July 31st to August 23rd.  Adult beginner classes will meet from 5pm to 6:16pm and Intermediate Beginner classes will meet from 6:30pm to 7:45pm. The cost is $54 for Members and $55 for Non-Members.
Call 641-8060 or stop by the Community Center at 200 East Spencer Avenue in Gunnison to register. 

Its Almost the Weekend

Tonight, Friday, July 20th at 5pm, the air downtown will be filled with the music of Mark Berenson, entertaining on the Gunniosn Arts Center patio for the Fridays @ 5 Concert Series.  The Arts Center is located on the southeast corner of Tomichi and Main Street in the heart of town.  Libations are available for purchase on the patio. Wind down from your hectic week at this venue. 
After enjoying music and then dinner at one of Gunnison's great restaurants, head south of town to the Gunnison Valley Observatory.  This weekend's education series is "Galaxies in our Local Neighborhood".  The facility gates open for publlic viewing on Friday and Saturday evenings, at 7:30pm, the lecture starts at 8:30pm and then there's viewing through the Observatory's 30", dome-housed telescope once the skies are dark and clear.  Admission is by donation and remeber to bring a jacket.

Gunnison Farmers' Market

Saturday morning after enjoying delicious coffee and breakfast, stroll over to the Saturday Farmer's Market downtown on East Virginia Avenue.  The Market opens at 9:30am and goes until 1:30pm.  There's fresh local and western slope produce, baked goods, Olathe wine, flowers, arts, crafts, and a even a chair massage can be enjoyed! 
Saturday is also the best day for the public to enjoy the Annual Jack Russell Terrier Trials at the Fred Field Western Heritage Center at the Rodeo Grounds, south of Safeway.  These frisky and smart dogs are fun to watch and it's free!  Bring the family but leave your 4-footed friends at home. 
The weekend is also a great time to enjoy all of the great outdoor recreation that Gunnison - the Base Camp of the Rocky Mountains - has to offer.  Take your pick of multiple adventures!  There's fun for everyone!
Sunday morning at 9am, is the start of the 38th Annual AAUW Art in the Park at Legion Park.  Stroll around the park, listen to some great music, enjoy breakfast and then lunch yummies, and check out the talented artists and their offerings.  This is a juried art show and there are several new artists participating this year.
Finish our your weekend at Legion Park, with the musical entertainment of "Workin' Progress".  This free concert (donations are collected and greatly appreciated) is hosted by the Gunnison Arts Center.  Enjoy your weekend!

Time to Ride!

Now that Cattlemen's Days is but a fun memory, dismount your trusty pony and mount that mountain bike!  Hartman Rocks is beckoning you!

Mountain Biking Hartman Rocks
photo copyright protected

Hartman Rocks, classified by geologists as a pink granite ring-dike, is a year-round recreational paradise.  The base area is co-owned by the City of Gunnison and Gunnison County and features parking, picnic shelter and restrooms.  The majority of the land is administered by the Bureau of Land Management. 
Many trails are multi-use.  Trails are numbered and signs indicate the allowed trail uses.  There is a jump park for bicycles at the base area.  Hiking and trail running are also very popular at Hartman Rocks.  

Climbing at Hartman Rocks


Rock climbing takes place mainly on the granitic ridge that gives the rocks its name.  Several sites have established routes.  Bolting is allowed however clean climbing is strongly encouraged. 
Motorcycling is allowed on 39 miles of trails and 33 miles of roads that also allow four-wheel driving and ATV use.  There is a motorcycle terrain park with a 1-mile closed loop near the western McCabe Lane entrance.  Be aware, several trails are closed to motorcycles. 
Wintertime use includes cross country skiing and some snowmobiling. when snow levels allow.  
But back to mountain biking! There are 40 miles of single track trails and 33 miles of dirt roads that are open to mountain biking.  The trails range from novice to expert.  Biking the trails, up, down, over and between the granite boulders, with far-reaching vistas of the Continental Divide and the West Elk Mountains, are spectaular.  With much-needed recent rain showers in the afternoons,  plan a cool morning ride and enjoy Hartman Rocks!

Beauty after a fun Hartman Adventure Day
photo copyright protected



City Council This Week

The Gunnison City Council will meet at 7pm on Tuesday evening, July 17th,  in a Work Session to disucss the following items: 
Gunnison Trails representative Dave Wiens and local BLM representative Brian St. George will discuss with Council public lands trails advocacy and development;
a discussion on the development of a City off-leash dog park;
a discussion on an Annexation Reimbursement Agreement with the Gunnison Valley Partners for the Gunnison Rising Annexation required studies;
Letter of Support for the development of a governmental entities "inter-agency campus" on porpoerty located on Gunnison Rising Annexation property; 
a general discussion on possible Tourism Association By-law changes; and
review and discussion on a proposed RTA Air Program financial assistance contract.
Support information for these meeting topics can be found at www.cityofgunnison-co.gov/council/epackets_home.html 

Nothing to do???

There is "oodles" to do in Gunnison right now!  In addition to all of the fun and intriguing shopping and the gastronomic delight or just plain old down-home cookin' restaurants to choose from, there are fun and exciting events to choose from.  Here is just a sample of what's going on...
Thursday, July 12th - 6pm is the Annual Pioneer Banquet at the Gunnison Elks Lodge, 123 S. Main Street.  Afterwards, put on your pink shirt, dust off your cowboy hat, and march your western boots down to the Gunnison Rodeo Grounds on South Spruce Street for the Annual "Tough Enough to Wear Pink" PRCA Rodeo starting at 7pm.  Afterwards, the spinning lights and shreiking kids of the annual carnival will draw you to some fun!
Friday, July 13th (yes, Friday the 13th) morning heralds the 4-H Events at the Rodeo Grounds.  At 7pm, is the PRCA "Patriot Rodeo".  Show your patriotism and wear your red, white, and blue.  The carnival will be in full swing and there will be a Cattlmen's Dance at the Elks Club starting at 9pm. 
If you want a quieter but expansive venue, head south of Gunnison on County Road 38 - Gold Basin Road - across from the Hartman Rocks Recreation Area, both Friday and Saturday nights, for public night sky viewing at the Gunnison Valley Observatory.  Gates open at 7:30pm and admission is by donation.  No reservations are required.  Remember your jacket, it can get cool in the evenings.
Saturday, July 14th, is the busist day yet!   The Gunnison Kiwanis Club will be serving a pancake breakfast at the IOOF Park downtown starting at 7:30am.  They will follow pancakes with burgers and hotdogs starting at 11am.  Enjoy some filling flapjacks and sausage before the parade.  At 9am, over at Jorgensen Park, is the Colorado State Marbles Tournament!  What an exciting and "old-time" event.  These dedicated kids practice all year long for the opportunity to participate in this event.  Go cheer them on!  The weekly Gunnison Farmers' Market will be commence at 9:30am next to the IOOF Park.  Also at 9:30am, starting at the Meadows Park across from the City Community Center, is the "Main Street Mile Race" benefitting the Gunnison Youth Wrestling Program.  The race will end right downtown before the 10am start of the Annual Cattlemen's Days Parade.  There's everything from clowns, to horses, to mini-cars, to fire trucks, to dare-I-say politicians!  Everyone has a great time at this event.  After the parade, at 2pm down at the Rodeo Grounds, is the 4-H Jr. Livestock Auction.  7pm is the action-packed PRCA "Family Night" Rodeo.  And for all of the kids and kid-want-to-be's, the carnival will be in full-swing once again next to the rodeo grandstands.  Finish out the evening with a sashay around the dance floor at the Elks Club.
Sunday, July 15th, will see Cowboy Church, and then horse racing to finish out this year's 112th Cattlemen's Days!  Sunday evening, wind-down on the lawn at the Legion Park Pavilion on East Tomichi Avenue and listen to the music of Russ Chapman at the Gunnison Arts Center's Sundays @ 6 concert series.
Whew!  If you can't find something interesting, informative, yummy, nostalgic, or just plain fun this weekend, you're not really trying!  Yee-haw!

USA Pro Cycling Race Teams

Sixteen world-class bicycle racing teams were announced this morning as participants in the 2012 USA Pro Cycling Challenge Race. 
The race starts in Durango on August 20th and ends seven grueling road biking days later in downtown Denver on August 26th.  The race passes through Gunnison on Tuesday, August 21st. 


USA Pro Cycling Racers Rounding the Tomichi and Main Corner
in Gunnison - August 2011 Race. 
(photo by Gregg Morin)

  The "Queen Stage" then starts in Gunnison on Wednesday morning, August 22nd before heading north on Highway 135 to Taylor Canyon and beyond before ending in Aspen that afternoon.
Levi Leipheimer, the 2011 USAPCC winner will be racing once again.  Cadel Evans, 2011 winner of the Tour de France will be cycling again this year.  George Hincapie - last year's 5th place winner - will finish his professional racing career by competing in this race.  Many Colorado cycling celebrities will be participating. 
For more information on the teams selected to race in this year's event, go to www.usaprocyclingchallenge.com/teams

City Council Tonight

Even though it's summer, City Council is hard at work for the citizens of the community.  Tonight at 7pm, Council will hold a Regular Session meeting in the City Council Chambers of City Hall, 201 W. Virginia Avenue in Gunnison. 

Gunnison City Council
Councilors Bob Drexel, Bill Nesbitt, Ed Seymour,
Mayor Pro Tem Ellen Harriman, Mayor Jonathan Houck

They will be hearing a presentation on the 2011 City Audit; and will discuss the following topics:  a Contract for Service with Gunnison County to help fund a Sage Grouse Listing Impact Analysis on the community; a letter of support for a Colorado Water Conservation Board grant for riparian habitat upgrade and preservation along the Gunnison River adjacent to the VanTuyl Ranch; a letter of support for a combined governmental offices campus in the new Gunnison Rising Annexation; action on the Escalante Drive Reimbursement Agreement with Western State College; action to approve the Gunnison Valley Regional Housing Authority Intergovernmental Agreement between the City, County, Crested Butte and Mt. Crested Butte.  Further information on all of these topics is available on line at www.cityofgunnison-co.gov/council/epackets_home.html

We Made it to Friday!

For those fortunate enough to have a 5-day business week - we've made it to the weekend!  And there is a lot going on in Gunnison this July weekend. 
Starting tonight at 5pm, there's the First Friday's Art Walk and Music summer series.  8 venues are participating tonight.  Start at the Gunnison Arts Center, view the western heritage-inspired art work and listen to the music of Chris Coady on the Arts Center patio.  Then stroll around town to the following participants:  Gunnison Gallery, Castle Creek Guitars, Rocky Mountain Frames, Beth Marcue Studio, Mochas Coffeehouse, Blue Thunder Circle_Art Lab and the Brick Cellar Bar & Bistro.  Enjoy the visually intriguing art work, music and refreshments. 
After the Art Walk and dinner at one of the great Gunnison eateries, head south on Gold Basin Road to the Gunnison Valley Observatory, located across from the Hartman Rocks Recreation Area.  The Observatory is open Friday and Saturday evenings, starting at 7:30pm, for public viewing.  Tonight's topic will be "The Summer Triangle".  Classroom presentations start around 8:15pm and admission is by $5.00 per person requested donation.  Reservations are not required and remember to bring a jacket.
Tonight also is the start of Gunnison's 112th Annual Cattlemen's Days.  This event takes place from July 6th through 15th.  Tonight starting at 6pm at the Fred Field Western Heritage Center at the Rodeo Grounds is the KICKOFF dinner and dance.  Music will br provided by "Better Late Than Never" and the scrumptous chicken dinner is sponsored by Slogar.  Put on your dancin' boots and start Cattlemen's Days in style!

Rafting on the Taylor River

Saturday morning starting at 9:30am, downtown by the IOOF Park on East Virginia Avenue, is the weekly Gunnison Farmer's Market. After coffee or breakfast at one of Gunnison's morning cafes, visit the market booths and pick up some fresh Western Slope grown produce, baked goods, wine or crafts.  It's always a congenial event. 

Saturday is also the start of the weekend-long Annual Wet Grocer Softball Tournament at the Jorgensen Softball Fields.  This event raises money for local youth recreation scholarships.  These teams always seem to have a great time playing ball. 

Saturday also sees the 4-H Horse Show associated with Cattlemen's Days starting at 8am at the Rodeo Grounds.  For more information on all of the Cattlemen's Days events, go to http://www.cattlemensdays.com/ 

And of course, take advantage of Gunnison - the Base Camp to the Rocky Mountains!  There's boating, fishing, kayaking, rafting, rock climing, hiking, wildflower and wildlife viewing, mountain biking, road biking and so much more.  Remember, NO open fires or smoking in compliance with the Stage II Fire Ban.  We want to keep our Base Camp adventures safe!  Have a wonderful Gunnison High Country Weekend! 

It's the Balloon Rally

 

Balloon Rise Over Gunnison

 The Annual Independence Day Balloon Rally, sponsored by the Trough Restaurant, got underway on Monday, July 2nd and will continue through the 4th. 
Balloonists from all over the west have gathered and launch their colorful balloons early (very early!!) each morning from Jorgensen Park.    
Then, the balloons follow the prevailing winds.  They may land in the street or in an empty lot by your house!  Have your camera ready. 
Many of the balloon pilots come to Gunnison every 4th of July to participate in this fun event. 

Over the house!

Get out early and watch this annual colorful event.

City's Independence Day Schedule

Most City Offices will be CLOSED on Wednesday, July 4th, in observance of Independence Day.  Police Department patrol officers, the Communications/Dispatch Office and the Fire Department will all be on duty to ensure safety during the holiday.  In addition, crews from the Parks & Recreation Department, Public Works Department, and Refuse Department will be working to assist the public in having a safe and enjoyable holiday.  Thanks to all of these hard working folks!  City offices will resume serving the citizens on Thursday morning, July 5th. 

City Refuse Schedule:  If your trash is normally collected on Wednesday, it will be collected on Thursday this week.  No refuse or recyling will be picked up on July 4th.  Thank you for your patience.