Noticias

• Telluride Ski Patrol Negotiates for New Contract
• Cat Movie Fisher with Risho Unda

---

Telluride Ski Patrol Negotiates for New Contract

The Telluride Ski Resort is just a few weeks away from its scheduled opening day, weather permitting. But the season may look different depending on how contract negotiations go for the Telluride Ski Patrol in the coming weeks.

“We’ve got close to 80 ski patrollers that have had enough of not having a living wage and living paycheck to paycheck. It’s getting harder and harder,” said Graham Hoffman, who has been on the Telluride Ski Patrol for the past 10 years and has served as president of the Telluride Ski Patrol Union for the last four.

Telluride Ski Patrol began contract negotiations with the Telluride Ski Resort in early June. Their contract expired in August.

“We’re looking to lift up this entire ski patrol right now. We’re looking to fix an out-of-date and out-of-touch wage structure. It doesn’t really speak to attraction and retention with low starting wages, and a ceiling of where you can go at a certain point after so many years,” Hoffman said.

According to Hoffman, starting wages for a new ski patroller are $21 an hour. He said there are patrollers who have been with the ski company for more than 35 years who are barely making $30 an hour.

“These are nowhere near what a living wage in this community is. We know how hard, and how complicated it can be to live in Telluride. We’re trying to approach a living wage. We know that to have a true living wage would be a scary number for the company, so we’re just trying to get closer,” Hoffman said.

In addition to wages, Hoffman said they want to help protect the institutional knowledge that comes from senior patrollers.

“The experience and the safety of our guests is our number one concern. Telluride is an extremely complex mountain, both avalanche and logistically if someone gets injured. There’s truly no one who can do what we do to come off the street and try to figure out how to safely help our guests,” he said.

Hoffman said Telluride Ski Resort, known locally as Telski, has had the union’s financials for several months. Even through negotiations, he said, the resort hasn’t “moved the needle” or addressed the ski patrol’s concerns.

KOTO News reached out to the Telluride Ski Resort for comment. A spokesperson for the company said contract negotiations are confidential, so they cannot discuss details at this time.

Hoffman said he hopes the union and the ski company can come to an agreement soon, but if not, a strike is on the table.

“The company is the one that is currently threatening to keep this mountain closed — over different issues. At no point are we threatening to do that. We’re really working hard; we’re doing everything we can to come to a contract that our members will ratify. We’re not going to hold up the opening of the mountain — assuming that’s a normal opening day. If we get to the end of Dec. 6 — which is our last, current, scheduled session — and we’re still far apart without a contract, we’re going to have some hard conversations about a work stoppage,” Hoffman said.

The Telluride Ski Patrol Union and the Telluride Ski Resort have contract negotiation sessions scheduled for the end of November. The final scheduled meeting is on Dec. 6.

The Telluride Ski Resort is currently scheduled to open on Thursday, Nov. 27.

---

Cat Movie Fisher with Risho Unda

It may only be Monday, but Telluride High School’s Risho Unda is coming to the airwaves early this week.

On the segment Cat Movie Fisher, Unda chats with members of the community about their favorite movies.

Today, he’s talking with Athletic Assistant Jamie Stewart.

Story beings at 3:40.

---

San Miguel Power Association Proposes Electric Rate Increase

The San Miguel Power Association is proposing an increase to electric rates later this year.

For residential consumers, the proposed change includes a $5 increase to the monthly access charge — raising it to $33 per month — and a 3-cent increase for the on-peak energy rate.

According to SMPA, the proposal is designed to balance cost recovery in the face of rising expenses while continuing to provide members with reliable power.

The San Miguel Power Association Board will vote on the rate increase at its meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 18. The public is encouraged to provide feedback on the proposal by emailing [email protected].

If the board approves the new rates, they will go into effect on Dec. 15.

---

Film Breaking Waves Showcases Para-Athlete Kelda Wood’s Story of Resilience

Kelda Wood doesn’t take no for an answer.

Wood was a world-class equestrian, Olympics-bound, when she experienced a life-changing accident after a giant hay bale fell on her head, the shock shattering her ankle.

After the accident, rather than saying “I can’t,” Wood asked, “How can I?”

She became the first female para-athlete to summit Mount Aconcagua — the tallest peak in South America. She trained with Great Britain’s para-canoe squad for the 2016 Paralympics and was the first para-athlete to row solo across the Atlantic Ocean.

Wood is the subject of the film Breaking Waves. This week, Telluride Adaptive Sports, in collaboration with the Wilkinson Public Library, is screening the film.

According to TASP, Wood’s story is one of relatable resilience and empowerment that everyone can incorporate into their own lives.

The screening of Breaking Waves will take place at the Wilkinson Public Library on Wednesday, Nov. 12, from 5:30 to 7 p.m.

---

Federal Court Pauses Colorado Social Media Warning Law

A federal court has paused Colorado’s social media warning law for minors, saying it’s likely unconstitutional.

For the Colorado Capitol News Alliance, Bente Birkeland reports.

Story beings at 9:20.

---

Men’s Group Addresses Loneliness

In Jackson, a small group of older men is meeting regularly to confront something that often goes unspoken — loneliness.

Across the country, mental health experts say social isolation among men, especially as they age, has become a growing public health concern.

For Rocky Mountain Community Radio, KHOL’s Sophia Boyd Fliegel reports on this new local chapter of the national organization Men’s Shed.

If you or someone you know is struggling, call or text 988 to connect with the Colorado Mental Health Line. Local resources are also available through the Tri-County Health Network at tchnetwork.org.

Story begins at 10:20.