Vibrant colors have been emerging over the past few weeks. Photo credit: Wolf Gensch

Neighborhood Nature Watch!
We’re loving these snapshots from our community—thank you for sharing!

Owl: Cari Shurman
Rainbow: Patty Crockett
Turkeys (Left): Don Fleisher
Turkeys (Above): Bill Pearson

Do you have a photo you’d like to share with the community? We’d love to showcase it! Please send your submissions to our Member Services Supervisor, Sarah Gager, at Sarah.Gager@rvrma.org

As is typical this time of year, we are sharing the annual budget as early as we can, giving the community an opportunity to provide feedback on a preliminary budget draft. We invite you to join us for one of two budget Q&A sessions being held at the Ranch House in person or via zoom. A draft budget will be sent out to the community prior to the sessions.

Click here for the complete Budget Timeline.

Irrigation blowouts will begin the first week of October for common areas and the second week of October for private residences. Work on residences will continue through the end of October.

Once your system has been winterized, a 2025 sticker will be placed on your controller to confirm it has been completed.

Homeowners may now install deer fencing. 

Deer season is upon us! To help protect your landscaping, trees, shrubs, and flowers, homeowners may now begin installing deer fencing. 

To read more about deer fencing standards in the community, see section 6.58.1 of the Design Guidelines (Fourth Amendment to the Design Guidelines).

It’s that time of year again! The Ranch House fall leaf dumpster is available for community use. We’re glad to be able to offer the dumpster a little earlier this year to help with fall clean-up.

Ready for another great season on the slopes? The RVR Ski Club is back, and we’d love for you to join!

From black runs to blue cruisers, all skill levels are welcome. Enjoy group ski days at Snowmass (and possibly other resorts), fun social events, and the chance to connect with neighbors who share your passion for skiing. Ski in groups that match your comfort level and join events throughout the season—there’s something for everyone!

Interested? Contact Michael Korber at mbkorber@gmail.com or 970-901-2115.

More details coming soon—let’s make this winter unforgettable! 

Sign up today and get ready for an amazing season on the slopes!

Email Sarah.Gager@rvrma.org to RSVP your vendor spot.

The Ranch House parking lot may be a bit tighter than usual over the next few weeks due to the renovation project and the leaf dumpster installation. 

We invite members to use overflow parking on River Valley Ranch Drive or at the Old Thompson Barn parking lot. A big thank you to Brian Leasure for generously opening his parking lot for Ranch House visitors to use!  Members will also notice some spots reserved for RA Nelson and other contractors, these may be opened up to members when not needed for the project.

We truly appreciate your patience as we work through these updates!

Drop your donation in the designated basket at the Ranch House and make a difference for a child in our community!

Phillips, K. (2025, September 10). Local author’s playful new book, ‘Tai Chi for Kids,’ brings ease to life’s flow. The Sopris Sun. Photo by Kate Phillips.

RVR’s own Cari Shurman is spreading the joy of tai chi with her new book, Tai Chi for Kids — and the Adults Who Love Them. Recently featured on the front page of this week's The Sopris Sun, Cari shares her decades of experience and her playful, uplifting approach to teaching.

With over 30 years of teaching tai chi around the world, Shurman has reimagined the ancient practice into creative, engaging forms that inspire peace, focus, and well-being. Filled with poems, whimsical illustrations, and audio guides, her book invites kids and their caregivers to move, breathe, and relax together.

Click here to read Cari's full article.

Have you spotted the new blue dog waste bags around RVR? Don’t worry, they’re still the same biodegradable, eco-friendly bags we’ve always provided. A new Colorado law required our vendor to change the color.

You may still see some green bags in the stations while we use up our remaining stock. Thanks for helping keep RVR clean, green (and now blue), and a big thanks to the RVR homeowners who assisted us in finding the most eco-friendly bags possible!

Investment Policy Amendment

At the September Board meeting, the proposed Investment Policy Amendment was formally reviewed and approved. This policy was initially presented to the community at the August Board meeting and posted on the RVR website on Friday, August 22. The updated Investment Policy Amendment is now officially adopted and can be previewed here: Investment Policy 

The Board also decided to review a new version of the Investment Policy designed to allow for more flexibility. This updated draft has been posted to the RVR website and will be reviewed, and likely voted on, at the October Board meeting.

You can preview the updated draft here: Investment Policy Draft

Renovation Updates

As previously discussed, our mailroom will be renovated this winter. To accommodate this, a temporary mailroom will be set up in the parking spaces closest to the Ranch House (the handicapped spaces will remain available). The temporary mailroom will be heated and equipped with a ramp entrance for accessibility.

We expect its delivery on October 15. All existing mailboxes will be relocated on Sunday, Oct. 26, and the process will be completed before Monday, Oct. 27.  Mail pickup will be unavailable on Sunday, October 26 as boxes are moved.  Aside from that, we anticipate a seamless transition. Your box number and key will remain the same—you will simply pick up your mail at the new location.

We also anticipate a temporary closure of the lap lanes and hot tubs again in mid-November while roofing work is underway. This closure will be necessary to ensure a safe environment for all guests. The exact timing and duration are still being finalized, and we will provide updates as soon as more information becomes available. This differs from our previously released estimated timeline. We appreciate your patience and understanding—we continue to prioritize keeping those areas open as much as is possible.

Click here to learn more about renovation updates (newly added information provided in blue).

Please be aware of the presence of coyotes in RVR and be very careful when you have small pets or children outside. There are continued sightings being reported across the community.

Visit Colorado Parks and Wildlife to read more about living with coyotes.

Photo Credit Left: Elizabeth Lozner

Photo Credit Right: Kristin Burks

The Naughty Knitters meet weekly at the Ranch House on Tuesdays at 3 p.m. Whether you knit, stitch, or are just curious to give it a try, you’re invited to join in the fun, everyone is welcome!

Interested in staying in the loop? Email Sarah Murr at sarahmurr100@gmail.com to be added to the Neighbors’ Knit & Stitch email list. 

Click here to view the Town of Carbondale meeting calendar.

Want to stay in the know? Sign up for Carbondale Tourism emails here to get updates on local events and activities.

For official Town of Carbondale communications, including newsletters, press releases, and important announcements, you can join the Town’s mailing list here.

Last day 10/16

Have a little extra from your garden? We’d love for you to share it with the community at the Farmer’s Table! A big thank you to everyone who has already brought goodies to share—it’s been such a joy.

The Farmer’s Table will wrap up for the season on Thursday, October 16.

Donations inside the Ranch House in the blue tub by the entrance

NEW CLASS- Myofacial Release & Recovery Yoga Class 

Myofascial Release + Recovery class uses RAD Roller therapy balls, gentle stretches, and breathwork to release tension, improve mobility, support recovery, and promote overall body balance—perfect for athletes, those managing chronic tension, or anyone navigating natural changes with aging.

Lindsay Herlinger

Discover the healing power of yoga with Lindsay Herlinger, a RYT-500/E-RYT-200 certified teacher with 1,500+ hours of training. Specializing in Myofascial Release, Yin, and Restorative Yoga, her classes combine breathwork, anatomy expertise, and therapeutic techniques to help you release tension, reduce stress, recover physically, and feel fully balanced—body, mind, and spirit.

970.963.6300  •  www.rvrma.org