Sometimes The Dolores River rages near flood stage, and other months it freezes over, but most times it is calm and shallow, perfect for tubing on a summer day.
And 2015 was no different, with varying moods flowing through this mountain valley town of about 1,000 residents. Here are The Journal’s top 2015 stories for Dolores.
Schools complete $7 million upgrade
A $7 million construction project that modernized and expanded Dolores Schools campus was completed in February.
Improvements included a state-of-the-art science center with new labs and classrooms, new math classrooms with smart boards, a new career and technical-education facility, upgraded locker rooms, additional classrooms for the elementary, and a breezeway between buildings. It was funded by a $2.9 million education grant and $3.5 million bond passed by the voters in 2012.
The project hit a legal snafu when the school sued the original architect, claiming it underestimated construction costs. In a September, Dolores Schools received $500,000 to settle the lawsuit.
Also, in November, voters approved to continue a Dolores Schools mill levy that generates $390,000 per year for another eight years.
Rio Grande B&B is closed down
On March 11, the Town of Dolores forced The Rio Grande Southern B&B and restaurant to close citing building code violations.
Six residents and the owner, Susie Sieber, were given less than 24-hour notice to vacate the property. Sheriff deputies were on civil standby as residents packed up and left. Locks were put on the doors and signs posted to not enter.
Sieber has since been allowed back into the building. She disagrees with the claims of violations and is challenging the town’s actions. The appeal is under review by a District judge. The hotel is on the state register of historic places.
River cable accident sends woman to hospital
On June 2, a metal cable stretched across the Dolores River northeast of town scraped five people of their raft, sending one woman to the hospital with a head injury. Others had scrapes and bruises. The accident occurred near County Road 34.4 and victims said the cable “came out of the blue.” Dolores Fire Department was called to the scene to remove the cable. Montezuma County sheriff deputies investigated the incident, but did not charge the property owner.
“There was no evidence of intentional or reckless wrongdoing,” said deputy John Hancock. The cable was used as a crossing guide. It was anchored by rocks, but strong flows jarred it loose.
Dolorespalooza unifies three events
In August, Dolores held a memorable three-day party that included Escalante Days, a Dolores River Brewery music festival, and the 2015 All-School Reunion, which only happens every five years.
Thousands of people filled Dolores streets for Escalante’s classic Western events. Bars, restaurants, and hotels reaped in customers, and the brewery featured two outdoor stages featuring ten bands for ten bucks.
A pop quiz: Who owns the Goose?
In June after much debate, The Galloping Goose Historical Society conceded that the town of Dolores is the legal owner of Goose No. 5 and signed a long-awaited operating lease with the town allowing the Goose to run on host railroads.
“We’re admitting the town is the owner, and have turned over the bill of sale,” said Lew Matis, president of the society board. “It’s time to move past this.” The agreement comes after an effort by the Society to gain ownership of the Goose. They pointed out that the Rotary Club purchased the rail car, which has been refurbished and is the town’s signature tourist attraction. However, documents show that while the Rotary did purchase the Goose, it placed it in the town’s name.
Dolores Star closes, is folded into The Journal
For 118 years, beginning in 1897, the newspaper chronicled the weekly happenings of Dolores, its industries, people, and politics.
The epic run ended Sept. 24 when the last edition was printed. Owners Ballantine Communications consolidated their Montezuma County operations by rolling the Dolores, Mancos, and Cortez newspapers into one county-wide publication renamed The Journal.
Marina opens in McPhee Reservoir
On August 5, McPhee Reservoir improved its services with a new marina at the main boat dock off of highway 184. Stan Folsom, of Doc’s Outdoor Sports and Recreation, was awarded the commercial marina permit from the U.S. Forest Service.
The marina has 40 boat rental slips, boat rentals, supply store and public dock. Next year Folsom plans to add a restaurant, a fueling station, and additional decks for private parties. Also in 2015, a 400-foot breakwater was installed at the McPhee boat ramp to provide calm waters for the commercial operation.
Westfork bong-a-thon goes up in smoke
In July, Westfork residents were shocked to learn that an annual pot party called a bong-a-thon was being planned on private land near Stoner.
At the request of upset neighbors, Montezuma County commissioners sought and obtained a court-ordered injunction to stop the event scheduled for July 31-Aug. 2.
Thirty concerned residents attended a county commission meeting to urge legal action against the pot party, which features competitive marijuana smoking and related events.
Despite no permit, ticket sales were available online and neighbors claim organizers have indicated they plan to move forward with the party, but did not.
A new slant to the issue of parking in town
In July, Dolores residents learned that they had been parking scofflaws since the mid-1980s. Parking diagonally, or angled, to the street in residential neighborhoods had been the norm for decades in town. But then it was revealed by town attorney Mike Green that laws on the books actually requires parallel parking in residential neighborhoods.
Homeowners preferred angled because it saves parking space. Town crews pushed for parallel so it is easier to plow snow and grade dirt roads.
A compromise was struck in September requiring parallel parking on residential streets from Nov. 1 to April 30 to accommodate snow plowing. The rest of the year, angled parking is allowed. Certain downtown areas will continue to have angled parking year round. During the recent snow storms, sheriff deputies have been posting warning tickets on vehicles still parking angled.
RV fire lights up Railroad Avenue
A deputy with the Montezuma County Sheriff’s Office was patrolling Dolores when he saw a burning 1977 Winnebago.
The RV was traveling west on Highway 145 when it jumped the curb at Fifth and Railroad and hit a gold 1997 Honda Accord and then a stop sign and a power pole.
According to a report, the engine compartment caught fire and the brakes failed.
‘Revenge of the Nerds’ star crashes
In March Hollywood actor Robert Carradine was issued a lane violation citation after he collided with a semi-trailer truck on Colorado Highway 145 east of Dolores. Both lanes of traffic near mile marker 14 were closed for more than two hours after Carradine’s 2003 Mercury Marauder collided with a southbound 2014 semi on March 5.
Carradine and his wife, Edith Carradine, were both wearing seatbelts, and speed or alcohol were not a factor in the crash, according to the state patrol.
Carradine’s is most recognized for is role in the 1984 film “Revenge of the Nerds.”
Dolores artisans add to ‘Hateful Eight’
Several artists and craftsmen from Dolores contributed to the set of “The Hateful Eight,” a Quentin Tarantino Western shot in Telluride last winter.
Movie scouts were trolling the streets of Dolores when they came upon Dan Heeney’s aspen furniture shop, Rustic Style.
“I was glad to get my first Hollywood order,” Heeney said.
He put together a rush order of two picnic tables with benches, bar stools, a bar top and a replica bench.
“It was a little surreal,” Heeney said of the scene. “Hollywood types with French berets and little glasses were running around directing things.”
Not one to miss a beat, he referred movie scouts to a couple of his Dolores pals, leatherworker Rick Randolph and metal artist Meagan Crowley, who were also hired for set work.
Schools introduce new class of teachers
Dolores Schools Superintendent Scott Cooper spent much of his summer vacation hiring a record 21 new teachers and one counselor.
A combination of retiring teachers, teacher burnout, and families moving away for other reasons led to an instructional staff shortfall at the school.
Scot Elder is named Ranger of Year
Scot Elder, manager for Lone Mesa and Mancos state parks, was recognized as Colorado’s 2014 Ranger of the Year during the Colorado Parks and Wildlife commission meeting Aug. 7 in Durango.
Elder was one of five CPW rangers nominated by their peers. The award was established in 1986.
“I was totally surprised and honored to have that level of support,” Elder said Tuesday at his Dolores headquarters.
Bosses and fellow rangers cited Elder’s efficient management of two state parks with a limited budget and staff. Elder operates out of a small visitor center in Dolores, overseeing the 12,000-acre Lone Mesa State Park, 32-site campground in Mancos, the prime fishery of Jackson Lake, trails and an array of activities.
Snowmobile search turns to recovery
The snowmobile of Ronald Wallace Jr., who has been missing since Sunday, Dec. 5, was discovered by a dive team in Groundhog Reservoir, according to the Dolores County Sheriff’s Office.
“What was a search-and-rescue operation has moved into a recovery mission,” according to a sheriff press release.
On Tuesday, Dec. 8 a multi-agency search was initiated for Wallace, a 37-year old Groundhog-area resident and Air Force veteran.
Wallace was last heard from on Sunday afternoon, via telephone, when he called a friend during a short break from a snowmobile ride he was enjoying in the Groundhog area.
Hiker survives journey into wilderness
In August, local hiker Ron Nurnberg survived three nights in the local mountains with a serious concussion. Nurnberg, 71, often hikes the backcountry alone. His harrowing ordeal began Aug. 18 as a routine hike in the Taylor Mesa area north of Dolores. He followed Stoner Creek downstream, climbing over endless deadfall, and fell into deep water more than once. “I was so hungry and tired and felt myself sailing away into unconsciousness, but while I respect Buddhism, I was not ready for reincarnation yet!” he said. “Around every bend, I was hopeful for a trail or road, but it was just more and more rugged canyon with fallen trees.”
