Friday letters: Energy innovation, local concerns and a call for civic unity

Seeking unity in a time of global tipping points

We live in a world that is currently on the edge of so many things that 350 words cannot begin to express.

1. Climate change and global warming — the globe has experienced the 10 warmest years on record within the past 10 years (climate.gov).
2. Political strife and unrest — there are six major conflicts going on around the globe (Reuters).
3. Habitat loss — global wildlife populations have declined by over 73% over the past 50 years (WWF).
4. Violence — life is becoming more violent, shootings are normalized, and blaming the other side doesn’t help.

Let’s find common ground by imagining a space where we can all gather, air our thoughts, find common ground, and build a stronger, more inclusive future for the Roaring Fork Valley and beyond. It’s all about weaving our community’s diverse threads into a cohesive, resilient fabric.

We are asking for people to sign a petition at https://www.openpetition.org/us/petition/online/we-need-our-co-3-representative-to-hold-a-town-hall-this-summer#

If you are tired of not hearing back from your local representatives, please consider taking a small step toward democratic representation and add your name to over 400 other local residents today.

Steve Kuschner, Glenwood Springs

Holy Cross Energy’s battery program makes a difference

I’d like to extend my sincere thanks to Holy Cross Energy for their support in adding a battery storage system to my home through the Power+FLEX program. The program made the installation process simple and painless, and the benefits are already clear. These batteries provide peace of mind during the rare times the power goes out, help reduce my energy costs during peak hours, and support Holy Cross in managing demand on the grid.

I also want to recognize the team at Green Electrical Solutions for their professional and courteous installation. They were attentive to my needs and worked with me to ensure the battery placement was just right.

Programs like Power+FLEX are a great example of how utilities and homeowners can work together to build a more resilient and sustainable energy system.

Dallas Blaney, Carbondale

Glenwood Springs needs more grocery options

Each time I go to City Market, I leave more and more frustrated. It’s not the people who work there — they could not be nicer or more helpful. It’s the fact that when there is no competition, it is easy to not pay attention to the needs of the shoppers, but rather buy what will bring in the most profit.

Wednesday, June 25 was especially difficult because the checkout lines could only accept cash and the self-pay lines could only accept cards. I realize that was a computer problem and not City Market’s, but it did add to the frustration so many of us feel when we shop there these days.

My question: Is there someone in the city government who is responsible for attracting more businesses like supermarkets to the area? We are getting way more housing than our infrastructure can handle. What we need is another supermarket.

Joan Isenberg, Glenwood Springs