The mild-mannered Maryland senator has suddenly emerged as a  to , becoming the latest in a small but growing collection of  testing  in a weakened party with no clear leader.

Van Hollen’s rise follows his decision  last week to meet with , who was  and federal courts have said .

Van Hollen did not secure the release of the Salvadoran citizen who had been living in Maryland. But simply by meeting with him, in defiance of Trump and his ally El Salvador President Nayib Bukele, Van Hollen created a new sense of hope and momentum for Abrego Garcia’s family and the anti-Trump resistance.

“Sen. Van Hollen’s leadership in this moment is exactly how Democrats should be pushing back against a wannabe dictator like Donald Trump — calling for law and order over chaos and adhering to the Constitution instead of a tyrant,” Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin told The Associated Press. “No matter how much Trump tries to act out his dictatorial fantasies, Democrats will always defend democracy when it’s on the line.”

Van Hollen’s emergence in a critical national debate offers a fresh window into the Democratic Party’s monthslong leadership carousel as it struggles to counter a series of Trump administration policies with far-reaching consequences, from slashing the federal workforce to stripping funding from universities, pushing back against  and launching a trade war that’s rattling the global economy.

Looking for the face of the Democratic Party

The Democrats’ most visible elected leaders, Rep. Hakeem Jeffries and Sen. Chuck Schumer, both of New York, have lost the confidence of many  for not fighting Trump with .

Ezra Levin, co-founder of the resistance group , said the growing protest movement is directed both at Trump and “the Schumers of the world, those who want us to roll over and play dead.”

“Courage is impressive and contagious,” Levin said, noting that he’s hearing “a ton of positive feedback for (Van Hollen) among our folks on the ground.” He said the reaction is akin to the outpouring of support for Sen. , D-N.J., earlier in the month.

Booker had stepped into the leadership void by delivering a record-breaking 25-hour speech on the Senate floor that briefly served as  for the frustrated anti-Trump movement. Concerned voters also have packed into rallies hosted by Sen. , I-Vt., and Rep. , D-N.Y., who have launched a national “Stop Oligarchy” tour.

At the same time, potential 2028 presidential contenders such as Govs.  of California and  of Michigan have gone the other way by downplaying their Trump criticism at times. Others, including Govs.  of Pennsylvania and  of Maryland, have largely avoided stepping into the national debate.

“I don’t think it’s ever wrong to fight for the constitutional rights of one person, because if we give up on one person’s rights we threaten everybody’s rights,” Van Hollen said Sunday on CNN’s “State of the Union.” “I think a lot of voters — both Republican and Democrat — are tired of elected officials and politicians who just put their finger to the wind. And I would say that anyone who’s not prepared to stand up and fight for the Constitution doesn’t deserve to lead.”

Critics in both parties go on the attack

Van Hollen’s trip was praised by many on the left, but there was no shortage of detractors — even within his own party.

Newsom described the Democratic Party’s focus on the Abrego Garcia case as “the distraction of the day” that allows Republicans to avoid tough questions about Trump’s tariffs, which have upended global trade and threaten to worsen inflation.

Indeed, Republicans have embraced the Abrego Garcia debate.

White House border czar Tom Homan called Van Hollen’s move “disgusting.” Trump senior adviser Stephen Miller, speaking at the White House, said Van Hollen’s “heart is reserved for an illegal alien who’s a member of a foreign terrorist organization.”

“It seems to me that these Democrats are representing the illegal aliens against the very constituents, the U.S. citizens, that they’re supposed to be protecting,” said Rep. Tom Emmer, R-Minn., also on CNN.

When pressed repeatedly, Emmer did not say whether he backed Trump’s suggestion that U.S. citizens convicted of serious crimes could be jailed in other countries such as El Salvador.

Abrego Garcia came to the United States illegally in 2013 at 16, but an immigration judge in 2019 granted him legal protection that allowed him to stay and work in the U.S. He has a valid work permit. His wife and their three children are U.S. citizens.

The administration insists that Abrego Garcia is a MS-13 gang member, although he has not been charged with any crimes.

Van Hollen’s long path

Van Hollen is no stranger to national politics, although he has perhaps spent as much time shaping the political landscape during his two decades in Congress as fighting on its front lines.

Since he joined Congress in 2003, the 66-year-old attorney has done his turn as head of both the House and Senate campaign arms, a rare feat that put him at the center of his party’s national political strategy.

That said, he has a lower national profile than other Democrats who have stepped into the spotlight in recent months.

Van Hollen has never run for president nor hinted he may. Sanders nearly won the Democratic presidential nomination in 2020, while Booker ran unsuccessfully for president that year and told the AP recently that he would not rule out another bid.

Still, Van Hollen has been especially aggressive against Trump this year.

He was a co-host of the first major rally against Trump and  cuts at the U.S. Agency for International Development, a protest that brought out a dozen members of Congress.

Given that so many government agencies and workers live in Maryland, the senator has been a leading advocate against Trump’s cuts, including those at NASA, the National Institutes of Health and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, among others.

On Sunday, he was interviewed on five major new shows.

He repeatedly pushed back against questions on allegations about Abrego Garcia’s gang affiliations. Like Democrats across the country, he tried to cast the debate as not about immigration but about Trump’s refusal to follow the law.

A federal appeals court issued  Thursday raising serious constitutional concerns about the Trump administration’s behavior.

The three-judge panel said the Republican  government is “asserting a right to stash away residents of this country in foreign prisons without the semblance of due process that is the foundation of our constitutional order.”

Van Hollen highlighted those concerns.

“My whole point here is if you deprive one man of his constitutional rights, you threaten the constitutional rights of everybody,” he said on “Fox News Sunday.” “I’m not vouching for the individual. I’m vouching for his rights under the Constitution.”

Revelers came out in droves, sporting costumes and bright colors, to close down Vail Mountain in style. While the day started with icy hardpack, the temperature warmed into the high 30s as the afternoon went on and skiers and boarders were treated to some of the mountain’s finest late spring conditions.

The annual “4 at 4” party drew thousands to the top of Chair 4 ahead of the mountain’s 4 p.m. closure.

Closing Day was not the only holiday to celebrate; Easter and the final day of Passover both also fell on April 20. Easter bunnies and bunny ears abounded, while the priest costume was a rarer find.

Brothers Sam and James Kancewick, of Denver, decided to don matching inflatable dinosaur costumes atop their snowboards to match their group’s safari costume theme. “We’re so glad it’s working,” Sam Kancewick said.

“It has been really fun,” James Kancewick said. “When I fall down, it just looks like he’s tired.”

“Vail Closing Day might be our favorite,” Sam Kancewick said.

Beth Howard, Vail Mountain’s chief operating officer of six years, reflected on this year’s ski season as one of “awesome powder days” and “vibrant” music.

“It’s always bittersweet to bring another season to a close, but it’s fun to celebrate another amazing winter with everyone here at Vail Mountain,” Howard said. “My deepest appreciation goes out to our incredible Vail Mountain team for their hard work and dedication in delivering a wonderful employee and guest experience. I also want to thank our Vail community for their support throughout the season. We appreciate everyone who came to visit us this season and we look forward to seeing you again next year.”

Vail’s 2024-25 season was one to remember.

This season, Vail reached a total of 324 cumulative inches of snow, according to the mid-mountain snow stake. This is a significant increase from last year, when Vail recorded 306 cumulative inches of snow. But a series of warm days throughout the spring led to a base depth of 53 inches on Closing Day, four inches less than last year. Sixty-one percent of the mountain’s terrain was open on Closing Day, according to

The season lasted 157 days, beginning on Nov. 15. This made the season seven days shorter than last year, but snow enthusiasts packed in plenty of excitement in that time.

A four-day snowstorm brought  to Vail beginning on Feb. 14, with Vail Mountain receiving the most snow in the state.

“We’ve had some really good powder days … it’s been a good season,” said Luke Wagy, of Denver, who wrapped up his season with 30 days at Vail. “Stoked that yesterday was a powder day,” he said.

The opening of Avanti Food & Beverage at the base of Golden Peak in December drew hungry skiers and boarders for a variety of affordable food and beverage options. World class DJs including Tiesto and John Summit performed on and near the mountain.

To commemorate the 80^th anniversary of the scaling of Riva Ridge by 10^th Mountain Division soldiers during World War II, current 10^th Mountain Division soldiers, Colorado National Guard, local veterans and members of the National ߣÏÈÉú Patrol skinned from Vail Pass to Vail Mountain. Vail hosted the U.S. Alpine Championships for the first time ever, though races were postponed the first day due to warm conditions.

But it was not all fun. This season, Vail experienced a number of challenges, including the need to send managers to Park City after ski patrollers at Park City ski area went on strike in December and an extended closure of Chair 6 out of Golden Peak in March.

This season of ups and downs showcased the commitment Vail devotees have to keeping their mountain alive. Among the many voices getting in their final Vail turns Sunday, one thing was clear: People are already counting down the days until next season begins.

Taking place on the ski area’s legendary East Wall, some of the best freeride athletes in the world navigated the venue in hopes of qualifying to next year’s Freeride World Tour.

The first day of competition on Tuesday served as a replacement for the third stop on the tour, which was set to take place at Whitewater ߣÏÈÉú Resort in Nelson, British Columbia, but was subsequently canceled due to weather. 

Seventy-two men and women took to the venue, linking together challenging lines that featured drops over rock zones and steep terrain.

Glenwood Springs’ Kelly Hilleke led the results in the men’s ski division on Tuesday. The 19-year-old skier put together a strong run in order to rank first overall among the field with a score of 43.30.

Hilleke was followed by Canada’s Leif Gascoigne (43.13) in second and Vail’s Gavin Goike (42.77) in third. 

The women’s ski division was led by Ogden, Utah’s Wynter McBride. McBride, 24, was awarded the top spot in the competition with a score of 38.77 while Jenna Meyers of Utah took second (35.13) and Lydia Nelsen of Idaho finished in third (34.97). 

In the snowboard divisions, a former Summit County local secured a podium finish. Now residing in Bozeman, Montana, Warren Doyle, 24, had one of his best competitions of the season in the Americas Challenger series. 

After taking second at the Kirkwood competition, Doyle managed to match his finish at A-Basin on Tuesday, recording a score of (38.37). Doyle was preceded in the results on Tuesday by Shayne Blue Sandblom of California (41.17) while Tilden Wooley also of California took third (38.20). 

The women’s snowboard division was won by Audrey Herbert, 36, of Canada (34.87). Natalie Allport of Canada took second (34.73) and Mia Jones (34.53) of California finished in third. 

The very next day, skiers and riders returned to Arapahoe Basin in order to compete at the fourth and final stop of the Challenger series. 

Hilleke was victorious again on day 2, earning a score of 44.83. Lochlan Harvey of Revelstoke, British Columbia took second overall (44.77) while Aspen’s Canyon Cherney finished in third (43.40). In total four skiers earned spots to the 2026 Freeride World Tour Pro series. 

The list includes Hilleke, Harvey, Edward’s Joey Leonardo and Jack Kolesch of Lake Louise, Canada.

McBride once again spearheaded the women’s ski results. Earning a score of 39.77, McBride was crowned the champion of the fourth stop of the tour. Agostina Vietti of Argentina finished in second (38.60) and Lydia Nelsen rounded out the podium in third (37.53).

Due to their placements throughout the season, McBride and Vietti earned qualification spots to the 2026 Freeride World Tour Pro series. 

Max Baker of Washington won the fourth stop of the Challenger series in the snowboard men’s division. Baker earned a score of 37.47, which was just enough to beat out Charles Somerville of Canada (34.53) in second. Tomas Castelli of Argentina took third (34.17).

Despite not being able to make the podium on Wednesday, the second-place finish from the day before was enough for Doyle to secure his spot on the 2026 Freeride World Tour. Doyle took second overall in the Americas Challenger series rankings with Sandblom taking first and Baker taking third. 

Coming down to a handful of points, Doyle and Sandblom will be the riders from Region 2 to newly join the Freeride World Tour in 2026. After during the 2024 competition season, the return is special for Doyle.

“When I was on the tour in 2024, that was a total dream fulfilled,” Doyle said. “I ended up doing pretty well, but just quite not making the cut. I was totally devastated and came back to the Challenger series and was one spot short of qualifying. That was a tough way to end last season. With that being the main goal of the season, and for it to work out feels totally amazing.”

Doyle will rejoin fellow former Summit County resident Michael Mawn, who he is best friends and teammates with, on the tour.

“I am so excited to be joining him again,” Doyle said. “After a year apart, to be able to go back and do it with him again adds to the excitement for sure.”

Allport managed to jump up a spot on the second day of competition at A-Basin. Earning a score of 35.37, Allport took first overall while Erin Sauve of Canada took second (34.60) and Megan Gard of California finished in third (32).

Allport will be the sole snowboard women athlete to newly qualify for the Freeride World Tour. For replays from the A-Basin competition, visit .

This story is from .

Now he plays for a very good team that expects to win quite often. It’s just the pressure to win and perform. It’s often a different cadence in his workload.

 for the Colorado Avalanche, making 23 saves Saturday night in a . In his Stanley Cup Playoffs debut, he didn’t face a lot of shots, but he did face plenty of high-quality chances.

“There are nights where we have the puck a lot of the time. That can be challenging for a goalie,” Avs backup goalie Scott Wedgewood said. “We’ve had times throughout the year where we’ve dominated play and all of a sudden the other team has a chance and you’ve got to be dialed in. It’s those moments, and kind of the repetition that we’ve had throughout the year obviously gets you prepared for that.

“You know the playoffs are going to be tough. We saw a couple of goals that are just some tips and deflections (tonight). So just stay dialed and trust your process and if he keeps playing like that, we’re going to have a lot of fun.”

Read more via

Start by thinking of salad — not salsa. Cool-season veggies like lettuce, spinach, peas, radishes and bok choi thrive in our cool spring temps. While leafy greens may not be as glamorous as the summer garden stars, they are quick, prolific and happy to go in the ground before your tomato dreams are even close to reality.

Feed your soil first. If you are growing in soil (as opposed to bagged potting mixes), send a sample to CSU or Ward Labs every few years. This is the best way to know what your soil needs because it’s really easy to overdo compost and underdo nutrients like nitrogen. Bring in your soil test results to Wiggle Worm Gardens in Eagle, and we can help you adapt the recommendations to your garden. When selecting nutrients, consider organic sources like blood meal, feather meal, alfalfa or cottonseed meal. If your soil sticks to the shovel, wait until it dries a bit before digging in any nutrients or compost.

Once the soil is happy, we wait for warmth. Use a kitchen thermometer poked 4 inches down at 8 a.m. to see when your soil reaches 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Then you can plant peas! A bit warmer and then try lettuce, spinach, arugula, cilantro, dill, bok choi, kohlrabi and other salad greens and roots. Getting impatient? Use clear or black plastic to help warm your beds and extend the season with hoops or row covers.

Through April, I’m only willing to gamble with seeds. I plant a round every two weeks starting April 1 (in Eagle). My precious seedlings won’t go out until May (even the cold-tolerant ones like kale); I’m willing to gamble seeds to get an early harvest, but not seedlings. 

When it’s time to plant seedlings, harden them off slowly — gradual exposure to wind and sun builds strong, stocky plants. Even plants you purchase at a nursery (ahem, like ours) should be hardened off. 

Watch out for pests! Flea beetles and leaf miners show up early, so keep an eye out and use mesh or row covers to keep them from snacking on your salad before you do.

Finally, think ahead: As spring crops wrap up, you’ll want those beds prepped for your heat-loving tomatoes, squash and peppers. Planning your transitions now equals fewer headaches later.

At Wiggle Worm Gardens, we’re all about helping mountain gardeners succeed — with native plants, region-specific veggies, and workshops that make it all click. We believe small, sustainable steps (like planting peas before peppers) lead to beautiful, resilient gardens. Swing by for expert advice, soil-building supplies, and your next “aha!” moment. Let’s grow something great, together.

Lindsay Graves of Wiggle Worms Gardens in Eagle is a frequent educational partner of Walking Mountains.

April 26, 1985

The first phase of five-year plan to revamp Vail Mountain had gone into effect with the closing of the ski slopes for the season, the Vail Trail reported.

“Chair 16 will be replaced by the new Mid-Vail Vista Bahn, a covered quad chair that will go to MidVail, instead of about halfway up the mountain, as chair 16 did,” the Trail reported. “A quad will also replace the existing triple chair 4, while the triple will be moved to replace the double chair 3, also at MidVail. Quad chairs will also be installed this summer to replace the double chair 11 in the Northeast Bowl and the double chair 7 in Game Creek Bowl.”

Plans also included cutting a new intermediate run between chair 4 and Ramshorn; enlargement of ski terrain on Northwoods and Northstar in the Northeast Bowl; regrading of the fall line along Tourist Trap-Compromise-Lower Riva, making the length of Riva Ridge more accessible for less skilled skiers; cutting a skiway from MidVail to the bottom of Chair 11, opening access to the Northeast Bowl section of the mountain; moving the Nastar and self-timer courses to the eastern side of Hunky Dory on new terrain; and cutting four new intermediate runs in Game Creek Bowl.

50 years ago

April 25, 1975

Many locals were on edge following the disappearance of Vail resident Julie Cunningham.

A radio station in town aired a story linking the Zodiac Killer from California to disappearances of women in New Mexico, Utah and Colorado, but Police Chief Gary Wall said there’s no evidence linking the Zodiac Killer to Cunningham, the Vail Trail reported.

“To my knowledge there hasn’t been a slaying in Vail,” Wall said.

80 years ago

April 27, 1945

News reached Eagle County of a Minturn man’s participation in a mission in which a German village was taken without any American casualties.

“The prescribed routes of attack had become snow-bound, so the doughboys used one under direct observation of the enemy — over the crest of a hill while the moon shone brightly during the early morning drive,” the Eagle Valley Enterprise reported.

The Americans were dressed in snowsuits, according to the report.

“Before entrance was made into the village, Pvt. Joseph Mascarenez of Minturn was one of four men who scouted the route and nabbed nine Germans on outpost guard,” the Enterprise reported.

The Americans took an enemy command post and found it unoccupied, with a German machine gun posted in the doorway in defense of the building. The stove was still burning and there was an untouched meal on the table, according to the report.

“Two Germans later sneaked into the town hoping to recover a cache of food left there during their hasty departure,” the Enterprise reported. “One was killed and the Yanks captured the second.”

90 years ago

April 21, 1935

An Oak Creek youth died after crashing a new master Chevrolet car in the Burns Hill area of Colorado River Road in Eagle County.

The boy was the son of George Hagerman, who was described by the Eagle Valley Enterprise as “one of the pioneer Chevrolet dealers and garage men of Western Colorado, having started the first garage in Oak Creek many years ago.”

The boy had attended a dance in Oak Creek the evening before, but his reasons for being in the Burns Hill area in the early morning hours were unknown, the Enterprise reported.

After the dance, at approximately 3 a.m., the boy “went home and secured a key to the garage, his parents thinking to put away the car,” the Enterprise reported. “He did this, but took out the new master Chevrolet and left in it.”

Officers of Routt County had feared that foul play had entered into the death, and asked Eagle County Sheriff Murray Wilson to investigate the accident.

“Mr. Wilson and his undersheriff, Eldon Wilson, went to the scene and made a thorough investigation, but definitely determined that the young man was alone at the time and at least shortly previous,” the Enterprise reported. “Phil Maxwell, who lives on the Colorado river road below McCoy heard the car go by his place at daylight Sunday morning, and noticed it stop below his place and the occupant changing a tire.”

100 years ago

April 24, 1925

One-armed McConnon Products agent Henry Anderson narrowly escaped death for the second time in his life after his steering gear broke in his Ford car while traveling along Colorado River Road, the Eagle Valley Enterprise reported.

“The machine, with Mr. Anderson still at the wheel, toppled over the high bank and plunged into the raging river, now nearly at flood stage,” the Enterprise reported. “A large boulder, protruding above the water breaks the current at this point and the car landed upside down in six or eight feet of water between the bank and this boulder. Mr. Anderson was able to crawl from under the car, submerged in water, and after a considerable struggle regain the bank. He was pretty badly bruised about the face and head, but not seriously hurt, his escape being almost a miracle.”

The car was retrieved, the Enterprise reported, and was not beyond repair.

“During the World War, Anderson was serving as a guard in the Glenwood canon on the Colorado river and suffered an accident which nearly cost him his life, and which did result in the loss of his right arm,” the Enterprise reported.

Let that quote sit for a moment. Let it challenge you.

Because in today’s fast-moving, tech-saturated world, it’s easy, tempting even, to outsource initiative. Information is on demand. Groceries show up at your doorstep. Artificial intelligence can write your emails. We’re living in a time when tasks once considered necessary are now optional or automated. But here’s the truth: There will never be a substitute for the human spirit set on making a difference.

Yes, technology can help. It can save time, spark ideas and extend our reach. But the spark, the heart behind real change, comes from you. You, with your God-given gifts, experiences, grit and compassion. You are the one who makes it happen.

Being a difference maker isn’t about grand gestures or public recognition. It’s about a consistent willingness to show up. To serve. To give. To lead with a servant’s heart, freely, generously, cheerfully. That’s what separates the people who wish and want from the ones who do.

But let’s be real: Sometimes we don’t feel like we’ve got anything left to give. Life has a way of draining our tanks. Maybe you’re feeling overextended at work, at home, in your community. Maybe you’ve poured into others for years, and you’re wondering, “When’s it my turn?” Or maybe, like so many, you’ve drifted into a mindset of convenience. After all, why go the extra mile when you can just click a button?

Here’s why: Because deep down, you want to matter. You want to be the one who makes things happen. And the truth is, you still can.

Start by getting proactive. Don’t wait to react to life, lean into it. Take initiative. Set the tone. Be the thermostat, not the thermometer. Then add intentionality. Being proactive is good, but without intention, it can become just more busywork. Intentionality means doing the right things, for the right reasons, at the right time. It’s what transforms action into impact.

Ask yourself: What difference did I use to make that I’ve stopped making? Who have I stopped serving, not because I don’t care, but because I got distracted or discouraged? Where can I make something happen today, with no expectation of reward, just the joy of contributing?

You don’t need a title, a platform or permission. What you need is the decision. The decision to say, “If it’s to be, it’s up to me.” That quote by Denis Waitley isn’t just motivational, it’s directional. It points us toward ownership, toward action, toward meaning.

We can’t let convenience rob us of calling. We can’t let fatigue steal our fire. And we certainly can’t expect AI to take our place in the hearts and lives of the people around us. The world doesn’t just need more content, it needs more difference makers.

So here’s your invitation: Look at your life, your team, your family, your company, your neighborhood, and ask, what’s one thing I can do today to make something happen? Not for applause, but for impact. Not for validation, but because it’s who you are.

Authenticity is the heartbeat of a true difference maker. When you show up as your authentic, imperfect, fully engaged self, people don’t just see you, they feel you. They trust you. In a world full of filters, curated images and polished personas, being genuine cuts through the noise like nothing else. It’s not about having all the answers or being the loudest voice in the room; it’s about being present, consistent and honest in your intentions. When you lead with empathy and act from a place of sincerity, your impact becomes more than just what you do; it becomes who you are.

Has the difference maker in you been dormant for a while, maybe even too long? Or are you always looking for an opportunity to help or serve in some way? As always, I would love to hear your story at gotonorton@gmail.com. And when we adopt the philosophy of “If it’s to be, it’s up to me,” it really will be a better-than-good life.

Michael Norton is an author, a personal and professional coach, consultant, trainer, encourager, and motivator of individuals and businesses, working with organizations and associations across multiple industries.

“So many great things that you can do on a Saturday, and this has got to be the most important thing to do,” said Beverly Smith of Avon, who was picketing alongside her husband, Jim. “I understand there’s eight inches of new snow in Vail, but this might be a little bit more important,” Jim said. “Hopefully we get some people to change their minds by the time the midterms come around.”

Heather McGlasson, of Texas, was visiting the valley when she heard about the rally, and decided to join the cause. For her, “it’s all about protecting the Constitution and the people’s rights,” she said as she waved her picket sign, which stated: “Get ’em by the midterms.”

The rally was supported by Eagle County Democrats, as well as Neighbors For Change and Indivisible, a new grassroots organization with a branch in Eagle County. Paula Clements joined Indivisible as a way to connect with others in the community who are feeling the stress of the political climate. “I’m here because I am a concerned citizen. … I’m also a veteran. And the things that are going on in our government are just appalling to me, and I couldn’t stay at home.” Clements said.
“And so we felt like we wanted to have a way of connecting with our neighbors. Let them know they’re not alone. I’ve been trying to talk to people here today, and there’s a lot of people that have told me the same thing. They’re afraid. They’re going to their therapist. They’re disgusted. They’re angry. And you know when you’re at home and having those feelings alone, it’s not helpful or healthy. So I think getting out to be with like-minded people gives us all hope and courage.”

“Today is about standing up to this takeover of our democracy by a few people,” said Lisa Lewis, chair of Eagle County Democrats. “And we just want to make sure that we retain our rights. We fight for other people, not just Democrats.”

A letter to the editor from Lewis published April 16 states: “To create real change, our collective action must not only continue — it must grow. History tells us that when just 3.5% of a population engages in sustained, nonviolent protest, transformational change becomes possible.”

“We had the game plan ready,” Spartan coach Austin Stanley joked when asked if the extra 90 minutes spent waiting on the interstate gave his staff any extra time to review film. “They have great middles and we had to shadow in the middle and trust our defense around the block. The rest would follow.”

The Spartans survived a five-set thriller against the No. 10 Saints, taking down their Confluence League rivals 28-26, 22-25, 25-17, 22-25, 15-12 to improve to 8-1 on the year. Despite most of its players possessing less than two years of experience, Vail Christian came out sharp and looked organized offensively.

“Yeah, 100%,” senior Max Litviakov answered when asked if this is the best team in the program’s four-year history. “(We) were really close (today). That was the best passing we’ve had so far. Obviously not perfect, but we’re getting hits every other play, which is really nice.”

Daniel Parez’s tough serves and soft sets, coupled with high-flying hits from captains Luis Rico and Ian Salyer helped the Saints jump out to a 5-2 start. When Litviakov timed things right, nothing could stop the 6-foot-7-inch middle hitter, who slammed a spike into the earth’s mantle to make it 6-4.

“When our defensive components are on, we can really run Max efficiently,” commented Vail Christian coach James Scott. Unfortunately, the Saints also tended to push the ball tight to the net, thereby limiting setters’ distribution options. Denver Waldorf capitalized on such errors for a critical 5-0 run to make it 21-16. Salyer, the Saint’s only four-year veteran, came alive with a pair of precise spikes and a right-handed touch shot over the defense to rally his team back into a 25-24 advantage. That’s when the Spartan’s stocky leading kill-shot artist, Henry Lottridge, took over, tying things up with a sideline-slanting missile.

“He brings great energy and never is down,” Stanley said of Lottridge, whom he called the “most dominant” player on his squad. “And (he’s) always uplifting of his teammates.” 

The Saints again started strong in the second, scoring the first three points before bleeding to an 8-6 deficit. An impressive 9-2 run followed, however, en route to the three-point victory. The Spartans controlled pace from the start of the third, the only lopsided set of the affair. The eight-point win and subsequent 3-0 start in the fourth appeared to deflate the Saints entirely.

But powerful back-to-back kills from Rico and Nico Rodelo brought Vail Christian back to life. The Saints took a 10-9 lead off another crusher from Litviakov, who buried the ball inside his opponent’s attack line. Salyer, who would have been the hero of the first set with his clutch scoring then, came through in crunch time with a huge spike to tie things up at 17. He also sealed the deal with the final kill.

“He absolutely stood out tonight with commanding the net defensively,” Scott said. “And offensively, he was definitely our player of the match.”

Scott said the fourth set showcased what’s possible when errors are reduced.

“We’re always trying to get our serves in and dial in our passing so we can run that offense we have,” he added. “And the guys were able to focus on that and allow us to execute.”

The Saints trailed 6-5 early in the deciding set, but Lottridge — who’d gone quiet the previous half hour — flipped a switch. The junior slammed three kills and blocked a Saints attempt in sparking the Spartans to a 10-5 advantage. Despite losing the momentum, Vail Christian dug in at match point, down 14-8. Salyer scored on two-straight shots and Jaiden Vizcaino dug out a deep kill attempt to keep the next rally alive. A second Salyer spike made it 14-12.

“If the ball comes over, I just see it and hit it back down,” Salyer said when asked about his role as the most experienced veteran. “That’s my job.” The multi-sport athlete has enjoyed watching the program blossom from 3-7 in 2022 to a No. 6 ranking earlier this season.

“That we can compete together and against other teams — it’s really cool to see,” he said before crediting his coach with the culture of competitiveness. “He’s really good at nurturing that environment. When we’re in practice, we’re always competing with each other and I think that really is the best way to get better as a team.”

“It’s pretty remarkable how far the program has come,” said Scott, whose team cuts against the Front Range grain with just one player on an off-season club roster. “It tells you we’re still a budding program but the interest is there in the younger guys. They’re really hungry to get on the court.”  

In the end, Lottridge wouldn’t be denied on Saturday afternoon. The southpaw skied high and pelted a cross-court hit off a helpless Saints defender to finish the five-set drama.

“A little cold spot in there, but he always finds his way back,” Stanley said. “We can always count on him to have the last two or three points in the match and pull through.”

Vail Christian fell to 7-8 going into a key three-game stretch to close the regular season. The Saints will need wins against Alameda and STEM School Highlands Ranch next week for a chance at hosting a regional game. They close the year on April 26 at Denver Waldorf. Scott said rewriting the narrative in the team’s rematch requires controlling the first set, taking Lottridge out of system and keeping an even keel in the huddle.

“You can see the ebbs and flows today of when they were up and down,” the coach said. “Handling those down moments is when we really need to find that spark.”

Salyer agreed.

“Whenever you go to five and lose by three — we just got to keep the energy up the whole time,” he said.

Stanley thinks the rematch could look a lot like today’s game — minus the traffic delay, hopefully.

“I love the coaches, the team, the program. There seems to be a lot of respect for one another, so we’ll see,” he said. “We went to five today — no doubt it could do that again.”

That’s one reason the folks at Boulder-based have started working with Western Slope partners to move the Garden in a Box program to this side of the Continental Divide.

According to Resource Central Marketing Director Rachel Staats, the Garden in a Box program is actually more like a buffet, with several choices for people to start their own low-water gardens.

The choices are actually flats of starter plants, ranging from just a few ornamental grasses and flowers, for those who aren’t ready to rip up their lawns, to up to 30 low-water plants for those who are ready to make the leap into the low-water lifestyle.

Those flats come with design plans for gardeners, provided by professional landscapers. Staats said plans this year are being drawn up by people at the Butterfly Pavilion in Broomfield.

“It’s pretty cool. You can choose different kits based on how much you want to replace,” Staats said. But don’t get excited. It’s going to take a few years for these plants to grow to maturity.

In Eagle County, Resource Central has partnered with the Eagle River Coalition, the Eagle County Conservation District and Eagle County’s chapter of Colorado State University’s Cooperative Extension office.

Denyse Schrenker, the horticulture specialist at the Cooperative Extension office, said this year is a pilot year to order Garden in a Box kits from Resource Central. People can order through the organization’s website — but kits sell out quickly — and the kits will be delivered in early June. Schrenker noted that Eagle County Commissioner Jeanne McQueeney has ordered a kit, as has Assistant County Manager Regina O’Brien.

The Garden in a Box kits will be part of the plan at the demonstration garden set to be planted this year near the main entrance of the county administration building in Eagle.

If the first pickup day is a success, Schrenker said she hopes the future will bring two pickup days.

Those pickup days are easy, Staats said.

“You just pop your trunk and drive through,” she said.

At the beginning of the school year, Osborn worked with Steve O’Neil, the head of school at Vail Christian High School when O’Neil taught the independent study course on Eagle County history. O’Neil tasked Osborn with reading “Early Days on the Eagle” which Osborn describes as the bible of Eagle County history.

“It’s insanely detailed for having been written in the 1950s. All of the information in it still stands today,” Osborn said. “Mr. O’Neil asked me to pick a topic and become the utmost expert on that topic.”

Osborn had an interest in Eagle County history and a sense of wonder that was reinforced when he would get out and explore the area with his dad, Jarrett Osborn. The younger Osborn recalled hearing about the Belden Mine, which is below Gilman on U.S. Highway 24 between Minturn and Red Cliff.

“In the early ’90s, my dad was an extra in some random Disney movie called “Tall Tales” and they filmed part of it at Belden and he was telling me stories about it and all these crazy, huge old abandoned buildings down there and all the abandoned mines,” Osborn said. “I was fascinated by it because you can’t go there, it’s private land, and it’s virtually invisible because you can’t see it from the road like you can see Gilman.”

Soon Osborn was digging for any information about the Belden Mine and learned about David Douglas Belden, more commonly referred to as Judge D.D. Belden. One helpful resource was a website that’s called Colorado Historic Newspapers.

“That website was my best friend for this because I was finding newspaper clippings from the 1870s and that explained the history of the mines and the name that kept coming up was D. D. Belden, the namesake of Belden, Colorado,” Osborn said. “Mr. O’Neil suggested I write a biography about D.D. Belden and at first I wasn’t interested because I was so much more interested in the mining industry than I was about the people. But in the end, learning about Judge Belden was my favorite part about this whole project.”

Osborn traced Belden’s footsteps from being a prominent lawyer in Ohio, to him getting married and moving out to Nebraska and Colorado.

“The thing about D.D. Belden was he was good at everything, and he was well-liked, but remained humble. He partnered up with prominent Denver businessmen like G.W. Clayton and Walter S. Cheesman – think Cheesman Park and Cheesman Reservoir – but Belden didn’t care to have landmarks named after him. Belden was Eagle County’s first county commissioner once Eagle County split up from Summit County,” Osborn said.

Osborn is passionate about Belden’s accomplishments and the history of the mines and what they were able to do at the time, which is fitting for the senior, since he’d heading to college at Virginia Tech this fall.

“I’m really interested in engineering and that was one of the things that really got me going on this project about the mines. I just think it’s crazy how the industry had to work around this horrendous terrain and with zero infrastructure at the time,” Osborn said.

To help research the topic, Osborn reached out to Kathy Heicher at the Eagle County Historical Society.

“The Historical Society was really excited to hear Malcolm’s proposal. We did not have a detailed history of Belden’s pioneer years in our files. We also knew almost nothing about Judge David Belden,” Heicher said. Osborn’s project was also perfect for a new grant that the Historical Society was offering called the , which supports projects that focus on Eagle County’s history.

Osborn’s book will be available at Eagle County’s libraries and at Vail Christian High School.

“It’s very exciting for me to see a high school student like Malcolm take on the mantle from generations in front of him to tell the early story of Eagle County and its pioneers,” O’Neil said. “We need this younger generation to carry that torch forward to help us more fully understand our place in time and the men and women who forged the path before us and on whose shoulders we stand.”

“One of the things I’m hoping the book leads to is having people my age care about the past,” Osborn said. “There are thousands of kids in this valley and even if just 10 of them say, “Wow, I want to learn about Eagle County history,” they should seek it out because if history is forgotten, it’s just gone.”

Interstate 70 at Vail Pass is under a safety closure westbound, according to an Eagle County Alert sent at approximately 10:52 a.m. Saturday. There is no estimated time of reopening.

This story will be updated.

One standout group we’ve worked with recently was AmeriCorps. Their crew showed up daily ready to work — young, upbeat, mission-driven. A few weeks ago, they were even written up in the Vail Daily for their contributions to the community. And then, suddenly, they were gone.

No farewell. No ceremony. Just gone.

We soon learned they’d been terminated — another casualty of the cuts from the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE. The notification was as abrupt as it was unclear. The staff was visibly shaken. One of them turned to me and said, “You should write a column about this.”

I went home that night and did exactly that.

The first version of my column was pretty straightforward. I defended AmeriCorps as a program that actually works — a low-cost, high-impact initiative that allows young adults to serve their country while helping local communities like ours. It’s not an arguably useless in the era of thousand-dollar drones. It’s not a Mars mission with no clear return on investment. It’s a rare thing: a win-win.

I titled it “Incompetence.” I wrote that DOGE’s failure to distinguish between bloated bureaucracy and essential public service must stem from mismanagement. How could an agency with such a clear mandate — cut waste, eliminate fraud — be doing such obvious harm?

Satisfied, I went to bed.

Then, around 2 a.m., I sat bolt upright. Cold sweat. I realized I’d been wrong.

It wasn’t incompetence.

It was intentional.

The scariest movie I ever saw was No gore, no chainsaws — just perfect psychological timing. A babysitter alone in a house gets creepy phone calls: “Have you checked the children?” She calls the police, who promise to trace the next one. When it comes, they call back in panic: “The call is coming from inside the house!”

That’s what hit me in the middle of the night.

If this were just about cutting government fat, DOGE would start with the obvious targets. The Pentagon has begged for years to . One unnecessary fighter jet program could fund tens of thousands of AmeriCorps workers, firefighters, IRS revenue collectors, and Social Security support staff.

But those aren’t the cuts DOGE is making.

Instead, DOGE employees are taking scalpels — and sometimes chainsaws — to that form the backbone of communities. Forest Service firefighting crews. IRS staff who ensure people actually pay taxes. Social Security call centers. And yes, AmeriCorps teams who show up in places like Eagle County to build homes and restore trails and mentor kids.

You’d be hard-pressed to look at these cuts and call them “waste.” You’d be harder-pressed to believe they’re accidental.

When I first wrote my column, my conclusion was that Elon Musk and his DOGE team must be idiots to fail this badly, given such a clear goal. But that just doesn’t fit. I have met Musk, and one thing is certain — he’s no idiot. As I thought about it, I realized that DOGE should be child’s play for him.

That’s when it hit me: the people running DOGE aren’t incompetent. Far from it. They know exactly what they’re doing. The destruction we’re seeing isn’t a bug. It’s the feature.

The lofty talk about “efficiency” was just the packaging — rhetoric designed to lull us into thinking this was about better government. But if you judge by actions, not words, the mission was never about fixing government. It was about hollowing it out.

I no longer believe DOGE is failing. I believe it’s succeeding — just not at the job we all thought it was given.

To my friends at AmeriCorps: I’m sorry it ended this way. You showed up, you worked hard, and you made this community better. You’ll be missed in Eagle County.

And to the rest of us: it might be time to check the house.

Mark Lewis, a Colorado native, had a long career in technology, including serving as the CEO of several tech companies. He’s now retired and writes thriller novels. Mark and his wife, Lisa, and their two Australian Shepherds — Kismet and Cowboy, reside in Edwards.

Los Amigos, the restaurant at the bottom of Gondola 1 with the iconic patio facing Vail Mountain will be shutting down after 53 years of serving as Vail’s “Cheers” bar for locals and guests alike.

“What I like best about Los Amigos was that we not only had locals who were regulars, but we had tourists who also became regulars,” said Shannon Short, who worked at Los Amigos from 2017 to 2022. “There were people who’d been coming to town for years and they would come here every day that they were here in Vail. So, we got to know them, too. They were just as much my friends as the local regulars who came in.”

Drew Riley grew up getting root beers at the bar after skiing and playing with the dishwasher sprayer when he was a kid. In 1982, Drew’s parents, Ron and Ann Riley, purchased , who started it in 1972.

“I remember as a kid when I was 11 or 12, the restaurant was getting slammed, and I don’t think the dishwasher showed, and I was playing out at Pirate Ship Park and my dad came out and said, ‘Hey, remember how you’ve always wanted to play with the sprayer in the kitchen? Come on back. Now’s your time.’ And there I was, pitching in when we needed help,” Riley said. He and brother, Nick, worked at Los Amigos while growing up. Ron Riley had some health issues in 2014 and Drew stepped in to help run the other restaurant Ron owned, Russell’s Steakhouse on Bridge Street. Drew also owns First Chair restaurant on Bridge Street.

The lease for Los Amigos ends on April 30 and the restaurant has hosted celebrations all season long, like Legacy Nights where locals and visitors could share stories and say goodbye. The final Legacy Night held on April 16 was packed with people who came from all over to pay their respects.

“My dad was able to come out for it and there was definitely a ton of past employees who came up to him and thanked him. They were so grateful for how my dad cared for all of his employees,” Riley said.

Los Amigos wasn’t just a place to grab a beer or a margarita and nachos after skiing, it was a coveted spot to watch the Slide for Life, a spectacle where a lesser-skilled skier or snowboarder tries to make it down the short yet steep run on Vail Mountain called Pepi’s Face.

“It was always so funny when a new group would come here, sit on the deck, not know anything about this and they’d hear roars, cheering, laughter from the patrons, who were all staring at Pepi’s Face at some skier who’d just lost all of their equipment and was sliding down the hill,” Riley said. “We have one group of visitors who come every year for a guy’s ski trip, and they where if the skier you choose falls, you must pay the entire tab! People have had a lot of fun with it.”  

Los Amigos was an institution, one that was a part of legendary events of the past like BB & B and the Great Race. Its deck used to host hot tub parties complete with sand that was hauled in and a tall lifeguard chair overseeing the shenanigans. That’s the way Anthony Keel remembers Los Amigos. Keel worked as a server, bartender and bar manager throughout his stints from 1993 to 2001 and 2006 to 2016.

“Los Amigos was so well established, and there’s no question that everybody there knew it as a focal point,” Keel said. “I’m just a little bit sad that some of the last vestiges of old-school Vail are going away.”

Rodney Johnson saw a lot during his tenure at Los Amigos, where he worked from 2002 to 2007 and 2010 to 2024.

“It’s an end to a beautiful era. During my times there, people would come in as young children and later they’d return as adults with their children. It was just a continuing saga of generation after generation of families coming through there and enjoying that spot,” Johnson said. “It was really cool for people that came to visit, because they’re sitting at the bar next to a local and they start hearing some of the stories. Next thing you know, they just became friends.”

How fitting for a bar whose name is Los Amigos, which means “friends” in Spanish.

During the last Legacy Night, Short and many of the other former and current staff posed for a photo behind the bar.

“That is what this place is about. The friendships. I mean, there’s never been a place like it. It’s the everlasting camaraderie and connection of the people that have worked there or hung out there or known people that worked there over the years. You could just feel the love at Legacy Night. It was palpable in the room,” Short said.

Los Amigos will close for good on Sunday at 4 p.m.

“I’ve been spending more time on this deck this season, just trying to soak it all in,” Riley said. “There’s just something about basking in the sun and watching people come down Pepi’s Face while drinking a beer and hanging with friends. I’m really going to miss this.”

To register, go to https://bit.ly/Lasting-Legacy-Class.

“Everyone should determine what and to whom they want to pass on the legacies of their lives and then communicate those wishes with family members,” said Jeff Tranel, an agricultural and business management economist at Colorado State University and author of “Leaving a Lasting Legacy.” “The difficult part of succession and estate planning is talking with family members. It is much easier to visit with a qualified accountant and attorney to apply the available tools.”

Topics to be covered at the workshop include:

• Where are you? Assessing one’s current circumstances.
• Where do you want to go? Setting goals and wishes for the future of the family and the business.
• How can you best get there? Strategies for getting from where you are to where you want to go. Selected issues and topics important to the process. Selecting and mentoring successors.
• Family communications. Methods for talking with family members.
• Resources that are available to help you with estate planning

That district, like many, is facing challenges that can use an experienced professional to help guide it along. Ken’s background of administering more than 30 special districts is a perfect fit.

Please vote for Ken. 

A polling place election will be held on May 6, 2025, between the hours of 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. at the Edwards Field House in Edwards and the Gypsum Recreation Center in Gypsum. An application for an absentee ballot may be obtained by visiting the “Governance” tab of the Eagle County Paramedic District website.

Rick Pylman
Edwards

Together, we imagined how Roundup River Ranch could become a part of the solution. And this summer, we’re taking the first step.

From June 26 to July 1, we’ll host our first session for children ages 7 to 17. A second session will follow on July 6 to 9 for ages 7 to 12, designed specifically for Eagle County residents in partnership with Vail Health Behavioral Health. Both sessions offer a setting for healing and growth to happen naturally, surrounded by kids going through similar experiences, and like all our programs, it’s free of charge, medically-supported and provides the empowering experiences that define our mission — equestrian activities, a challenge course, zipline, campfires and laughter.

Camp offers something uniquely powerful for these children. It’s a safe space away from daily pressures, where they can connect with friends, build confidence and simply be kids. This environment is not only safe and protected but also creates an opportunity to practice and apply the skills learned in therapy. And most importantly, these campers can forge a sense of community and decrease the isolation spurred by behavioral health concerns.

While this summer’s camp is designed specifically for Eagle County youth, we see this as just the beginning.To learn more about our Behavioral Health and Wellness camps this summer, please visit .

Sarah Johnson, president and CEO,