Skarvan: Pollution we can easily remove

Our 10th annual Pristine Riders Trash Crush community clean-up and environmental stewardship event held May 23 was a success!

Almost 30 volunteers strong brought together by a love and passion for our backyard removed litter along all our roads and paths coming out of Aspen. With additional areas needing historic liter cleaned up, we need more volunteerism in a town of 6,800 residents who live here for the mountains and all they offer. Be a 1%-er or one of 68 volunteers! If we increase volunteerism, we clean more of our community while experiencing community — including during our super social volunteer picnic to follow.

Trash Crush is much more than beautifying our backyard, removing sick eye sores, and toxic litter. It’s also about sharing stewardship to create the needed multiplier effect. Many locals do their own thing, the ultimate goal. Thank you! If most of us do a bit, it will mean a lot for all life. Sharing this message is crucial to have a much greater impact. Litter is the only type of pollution each of us can easily remove. Use gloves, a grabber, or pet pickup, and be safe.

A heartfelt, hardy thanks to the caring volunteers who made our spring cleanup happen along Highway 82 east of Aspen, Maroon Creek Road, Castle Creek Road, Owl Creek Road, McClain Flats Road and our bike paths, including: Beth Hoff Blackmer, Cassidy Bromka, Tom Cooper, Susan Capiel, Neddie Crumley, Catalina Cruz, Leslie Desmond, Joe Farrell, David Knittle, Sam Louras, Pete Louras, Chris McKelvey, Jennifer Mendez, Buzz Patten, John Phillips. Jessi Rochel, Don Shinault, Erik Skarvan, Larry Spatz, Marilee Upton-Spatz, Tanya Stevens, Ned Sullivan, Anne Trede, Donna VanHoy, Linda Vitti and Judy Wender.

Thanks to our thoughtful partners CDOT, Pitkin County, Aspen, ACRA, and Buck for a super tasty volunteer lunch!

Thanks to The Aspen Times for their outstanding event coverage!

“Like” Pristine Riders on Facebook for more, including how to score a free bike jersey by picking up litter and our fall Trash Crush event, being part the solution to litter pollution.

Erik Skarvan

Aspen