News

• Roaring Fork School District To Begin Online Learning April 20
• Basalt Chamber Offers Small Businesses Guidance On Federal Assistance
• Aspen Valley Hospital Seeing 'Slight Volume' Of COVID-19 Patients
• Backcountry Rescue In The Time Of Coronavirus

Last week, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security, or CARES, Act was signed into law. The $2 trillion COVID-19 rescue package includes what are called Small Business Administration, or SBA, loans. 

Aspen Valley Hospital is only seeing a “slight volume” of patients with symptoms of COVID-19, according to an update from CEO Dave Ressler in Thursday’s Pitkin County virtual community meeting. Since the beginning of the outbreak, the hospital has admitted 18 patients. One is still in the hospital, and “all but two” of the other patients were discharged to recover at home.

Last week, a backcountry skier was critically injured in an avalanche near Ophir, Colorado, about 20 minutes south of Telluride. More than 50 people were involved in the rescue. Local health and ski industry officials have urged backcountry adventurers to take extra caution so as to avoid putting an extra burden on already-strained first responders and healthcare facilities.

• Mountain West Cities Confront Homeless People's Vulnerability To COVID-19
• Aspen's Meat And Cheese Hands Out Free Soup On Thursdays
• Jackson Emmer's 'Quarantunes' Raises Money For Struggling Musicians
• Summer Event Cancellations Will Have Sharp Economic Impact On Aspen

Travel restrictions and social distancing requirements have left many local businesses closed, with some staying shut through the spring offseason. The Aspen Chamber Resort Association expects that the impact will last into summer and the cancellation of Aspen Ideas Festival and the Food & Wine Classic will deal a blow to the summer economy.

Musicians around the globe are sharing their music online during the coronavirus pandemic, and Thursday evening, local musician Jackson Emmer adds his voice. It’s a part of a series of virtual concerts he’s calling “Quarantunes,” meant to raise awareness and funds for performers who are struggling since venues were shut down and tours cancelled. 

• Aspen School District's New Superintendent Announced
• April 1 Is Census Day
• Colorado's Open Enrollment Extended Through Friday

• Gov. Polis Says Social Distancing Efforts Working
• 'Essential' Liquor Stores And Dispensaries Still Open
• One Local Aims To Serve 'The Public Good'

Few retailers in the Roaring Fork Valley remain open after a statewide order shut down those that were not deemed essential. Liquor stores and dispensaries are on the short list of essential businesses, but are reporting a slowdown in sales.

Freelance journalist Peter Mertz usually writes for Chinese media company Xinhua. Now, he’s turned his attention to doing daily social media posts on the Carbondale community page about what’s stocked in the town’s City Market.

• Tips On Social Distancing From A Man Who Has Been Doing It For Nearly 50 Years
• Electricity Use Drops Nearly 10% As Ski Lifts Close Early

Stay-at-home orders and closed businesses, combined with an abrupt end to the ski season, are changing the electricity consumption and demand patterns for Holy Cross Energy, which supplies electricity to much of the Roaring Fork and Eagle river valleys.

Stephen Stacey moved to Glenwood Springs three years ago with his daughter. He said they live a simple life, and love to fish. 

 “Glenwood Springs is a great place to live if you love to fish,” he said. “The only town in the United States of America that has two gold medal rivers in the town boundary.”

• PitCo Orders New COVID-19 Tests, AVH Has Admitted 10 Patients So Far

Aspen Valley Hospital has admitted 10 patients with symptoms of COVID-19 since the outbreak began. Two are currently at the hospital; one is in critical condition. In Pitkin County’s online community meeting Thursday, Dave Ressler, the hospital’s CEO, said patient volumes are light but they are seeing sicker patients than before.

• Gov. Polis Issues Stay-At-Home Order
• How A Creative Outlet Can Help During Social Distancing
• When Your Child Has COVID-19: An Aspen Mom Shares Her Story

In the midst of stay-at-home orders and self-isolation, having a creative outlet can offer a way through anxiety and stress. Carbondale-based expressive art therapist Sheri Gaynor says people can start an art practice during the coronavirus pandemic to deal with stress, connect with family or just help them identify how they’re feeling. 

Shea Sweeney is a single mom of two in Aspen. Her 13-year-old son came down with a fever and a cough last Tuesday. A video call with a doctor ended with a diagnosis, and they’ve been isolated ever since.

Pitkin, Basalt and Garfield County libraries’ doors are closed, but they’re still open for browsing online.

Garfield County Libraries are offering a new streaming movie and eBook service called Hoopla. Hoopla offers audiobooks, streaming TV shows and TumbleBooks, animated, talking picture books for kids. 

"I definitely wanted the public to have access to this as soon as possible," said Brett Lear, executive director of Garfield County Libraries.