Bella Biondini

Denver

Associate Editor at Gunnison Country Times

mountainman

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Articles

REGIONAL: Drought forming across Western Slope; Water supply forecasts well below normal

6 days ago | montrosepress.com | Bella Biondini

Aerial images of the Gunnison Basin revealed that much of the rolling lowlands had already melted out by the end of March. With warmer-than-usual temperatures lingering most of April, the high country is also on track for a speedy melt, triggering the potential for a short water supply this summer. Snowfall was sporadic across much of the valley and Colorado this winter.
Gunnison AmeriCorps at risk

1 week ago | gunnisontimes.com | Bella Biondini

They hand-deliver about 150 food boxes a week to families in need — the equivalent of thousands of pounds of fresh vegetables, fruits, pasture-raised meats and eggs and the occasional loaf of bread. They run Gunnison’s community gardens, promote environmental education in the classroom and connect low-income residents to energy assistance programs, an essential service as the weather becomes more unpredictable and utility bills rise. These are the Gunnison Valley’s AmeriCorps members.
RTA mulls transit impact fees

2 weeks ago | gunnisontimes.com | Bella Biondini

With each new housing project in the Gunnison Valley comes increased demand for public transit. A new developer fee, discussed by the Rural Transportation Authority (RTA) in March, would help the organization address some of the strain that has already started to show in its bus systems. If the RTA decides to make the request, it would be up to individual local governments to put the fees in place.
Wallace to lead Gunnison Chamber of Commerce

2 weeks ago | gunnisontimes.com | Bella Biondini

On April 22, the Gunnison Country Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors announced that Leora Wallace will move into the executive director role ahead of the busy summer season. Earlier this year, former director Celeste Helminski notified the community that she would step down at the end of May after spending eight years in the position. In late January, the chamber’s board assembled a search committee to find a replacement.
REGIONAL: Aerial insights help leaders visualize winter rec management

2 weeks ago | montrosepress.com | Bella Biondini

From the windows of a small plane, snowmobile tracks on the side of Ruby Peak arced, twisted and turned like a mass of tangled fishing line etched into the mountainside. As the plane turned its nose eastward, the passengers inside spotted faint ski tracks in the Gothic corridor, and looked for evidence about where the skier was headed.
Construction begins on Van Tuyl bridge

3 weeks ago | montrosepress.com | Bella Biondini

Last week, the City of Gunnison began renovating the aging pedestrian bridge located on the northwest side of the Van Tuyl trail. To reduce the amount of time the trail is cut off, the current bridge will be moved south to allow pedestrians to use the loop while a new one is installed. The portion of the VanTuyl loop that crosses over the bridge will close on Monday, April 28 and reopen on Saturday, May 3. Construction is expected to wrap up mid-June. kAm%96 '2?
City looks at next decade of rec projects

3 weeks ago | gunnisontimes.com | Bella Biondini

Gunnison Valley residents’ recreation amenity wishlist is long. As the City of Gunnison prepares to refresh its parks and recreation master plan this year, the community will get another chance to weigh in. Hockey players have hoped for a refrigerated outdoor ice rink at Jorgensen, while disc golf enthusiasts desire more courses. On the south side of town, skateboarders have advocated for a skate park expansion.
Construction begins on Van Tuyl bridge

3 weeks ago | gunnisontimes.com | Bella Biondini

Last week, the City of Gunnison began renovating the aging pedestrian bridge located on the northwest side of the Van Tuyl trail. To reduce the amount of time the trail is cut off, the current bridge will be moved south to allow pedestrians to use the loop while a new one is installed. The portion of the VanTuyl loop that crosses over the bridge will close on Monday, April 28 and reopen on Saturday, May 3. Construction is expected to wrap up mid-June.
New chief leads Gunnison police department

1 month ago | gunnisontimes.com | Alex Mccrindle |Bella Biondini

Sam Costello, the City of Gunnison’s new police chief, accepted his oath of office on Tuesday, April 8. Former, long-serving police chief Keith Robinson retired at the start of 2025. After a year-long process to find a replacement, Gunnison City Council welcomed Costello and his family to Gunnison with a ceremony at City Hall last week. Costello was joined by friends and colleagues from Olympia.
STOR to help relieve public lands staffing pressure

1 month ago | gunnisontimes.com | Alex Mccrindle |Bella Biondini

With the recent gutting of public land management offices around the valley, eyes turned quickly to Gunnison County’s Sustainable Tourism and Outdoor Recreation (STOR) Committee. With the summer season growing near, bringing with it crowds of campers, hikers and bikers, the 21-member committee decided to step in. This month, STOR took the lead on funding a small seasonal crew to reduce the rising workload of the U.S. Forest Service Gunnison Ranger District.