A double rainbow over RVR. Thank you to Sindy Smith for submitting.

We had sightings of a moose passing through on the golf course this week. What a treat to share our fairways with such unexpected guests! This is a kind reminder to stay mindful during dawn and dusk, and remember to keep pets leashed for their safety.

Thank you to those of you who submitted these amazing photos and video!

Top Left: Sindy Smith
Top Center: Jill Brewer
Top Right: Sindy Smith
Video: Jessica Cook

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

Stay Connected with RVR4Good

RVR Community members are invited to the next RVR4Good meeting on Tuesday, September 30 at 5:30 PM in the Ranch House. Whether you’re a volunteer, donor, or just curious about local non-profits, come share your experiences and learn about the amazing organizations we support. Agenda highlights include updates on Lift Up and Stepping Stones, strategies for engaging with non-profit leaders, governance discussions, and plans for a November “Thanks for Giving” celebration.

Visit the RVR4Good website here.

Visit the Cattle Creek Confluence Resources & Updates page here.

Visit the RVR4Good Facebook page here.

As a kind reminder, the Town of Carbondale has an ordinance to help preserve the view of the night sky. Residential outdoor lights are restricted in brightness and must be pointed down with a limited light arc. While the HOA does not regulate what time of the day exterior lighting should be turned off, many in the community have their lighting set on a timer so that lights are not on overnight, which also helps preserve the night sky.

We ask that homeowners please check their exterior lighting to make sure that it is dark sky compliant.

The Sopris Sun ran an article about dark sky in the valley. You can read it here: Reveling in our Dark Sky

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 install deer fencing after October first. 

Deer season is upon us! To help protect your landscaping, trees, shrubs, and flowers, homeowners may begin installing deer fencing starting Wednesday, Oct. 1. This is a two-week head start from the typical October 15 date outlined in the Fourth Amendment.

To read more about deer feencinng 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 will be available for community use starting Monday, Sept. 29. We’re glad to be able to offer the dumpster a little earlier this year to help with fall clean-up.

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!

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.

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

RSVP Here.

RSVP here for the Boo Bash!

RSVP here for the Adult Boo Bash!

Click here to RSVP

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. A large coyote has been spotted on the fairway in RVR between 7 & 8 a.m. for the last few weeks.

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

Photo Credit: Patti Crockett

Do you have a passion, talent, or area of expertise you’d love to share? Whether you’ve written a book, developed a unique skill, or have knowledge that could inspire or educate others — we want you for our Ranch House Community Presentation Series! This is your chance to present to your neighbors, showcase your craft, lead a demo, or dive into a topic you love. It’s all about connecting, learning, and celebrating the incredible talent within our RVR community.

Interested in presenting? Please send an email to Sarah Gager at sarah.gager@rvrma.org.

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.

The RVR Farmer's table has returned! RVR residents can now find the Farmer's Table set up at the Ranch House. Members are welcome to share excess veggies or flowers from your garden with the community.

Residents are also welcome to take home any of the veggies on the table. Stay Healthy! 

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

COMING SOON- Myofacial Release & Restore Yoga Class with Lindsay Herlinger

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, 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