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In this episode, Gunnison Country Times Publisher Alan Wartes talks with Jodi Payne, executive director of the Gunnison Country Food Pantry. She discussed her journey from volunteering in a shelter in Marquette, Michigan, to leading the food pantry in Gunnison. The pantry recovered over 200,000 pounds of food in 2023, with 60% sourced locally. They have 230 volunteers, including 125 regulars, and aim to supplement $150,000 in food purchases with local producers. The pantry also offers programs like the Gunny Pack for weekend meals for children, healthy snacks for schools, and a fresh mobile pantry. Payne emphasized the importance of addressing social determinants of health and community collaboration to combat food insecurity effectively.

In this episode, Alan Wartes interviews Alyssa VandenHeuvel, the new executive director of the Gunnison Arts Center, about her return to the role and the recent renovations. Alyssa discusses the challenges and opportunities ahead, including completing a $180,000 to $200,000 capital campaign to finish the building's restoration. She emphasizes the importance of the arts in a rural community, highlighting the center's diverse programs and the need for volunteers. Upcoming events include the annual holiday gala themed around "The Great Gatsby." Alyssa encourages community involvement and participation in the arts, inviting everyone to visit the center and explore its offerings.

In this episode, Times Publisher Alan Wartes talks with Times Sports Editor Alex McCrindle about the challenges and rewards of covering sports in the Gunnison Valley. Alex is a former high school athlete himself and shares why he thinks small town sports are such a big part of the story of the place.

Kathleen Curry is a Colorado native and resident of the Gunnison Valley. She served in the Colorado State House as a representative from 2005 to 2010, and is currently the Democrat nominee in the running for Colorado's House District 58 she has 25 years of professional experience in the water resources management field and holds a graduate degree in Resources Planning and Management from Colorado State University. Curry is part of a long time local ranch family in Gunnison, and has raised two boys here. She has owned and operated several small businesses, including a local foods market. Her passions are history and archeology, and she spends her free time tramping the hills east of Gunnison or doing other creative projects. 

Larry Don Suckla is a former Montezuma Montezuma county commissioner who served eight years until leaving office due to term limits in 2020 he was Colorado commissioner of the year in 2017 Mr. Suckla is currently the Republican candidate for Colorado's House District 58 covering a wide swath of western Colorado. After redistricting, which took effect in January 2023, HD58 now includes Gunnison County. There's no incumbent in this race because the previous representative, Mark Catlin, was term limited, and is now a candidate for Colorado Senate district five, Mr. Suckla will face Democrat candidate and Gunnison County resident, Kathleen Curry, herself a former legislator. In this conversation, we'll discuss Mr. Suckla's motives for running for office, his experience and qualifications for the job, and what he hopes to accomplish if elected with election day just a few weeks away, those are important questions for anyone who hopes to cast an informed vote. 

In this episode of Think Radio, Gunnison Country Times Publisher Alan Wartes talks with incoming Gunnison City Council member Marisela Ballesteros-Celestino.

In this episode of Think Radio, Gunnison Country Times Publisher Alan Wartes talks with incoming Gunnison City Council member Diego Plata.

In this episode of Think Radio, Gunnison Country Times Publisher Alan Wartes talks with incoming Gunnison City Council member Matt Schwartz.

In this episode of Think Radio, Gunnison Country Times Publisher Alan Wartes talks with incoming Gunnison City Council member Scott Frazier.

In this episode of Think Radio, Gunnison Country Times Publisher Alan Wartes talks with Lisa Henry, candidate for a seat on the Gunnison Watershed School District school board.

In this episode of Think Radio, Gunnison Country Times Publisher Alan Wartes talks with Anne Brookhart who is a candidate for reelection to the Gunnison Watershed School District school board.

In this episode of Think Radio, Gunnison Country Times Publisher Alan Wartes talks with Mark VanderVeer, a candidate for a seat on the school board of the Gunnison Watershed School District.

In this episode of Think Radio, Gunnison Country Times publisher Alan Wartes talks with Dr. Jody Coleman, a candidate for a seat on the school board of the Gunnison Watershed School District.

In this episode of Think Radio, Gunnison Country Times publisher Alan Wartes talks with Greg Kruthaupt, a candidate for a seat on the school board of the Gunnison Watershed School District.

In this week’s episode of Think Radio, Gunnison Country Times Publisher Alan Wartes talks with Jacob Spetzler about his passion, role and involvement as a Photo Journalist and Photo Editor.