New Castle Fishing Derby Highlights Local Business Support and Holy Cross Energy Election

The gravel crunches under tires on the shoulder of Highway 6, just past the turnoff for the New Castle High School field. It’s early morning, the air still holding that sharp, crisp chill typical of the Roaring Fork Valley before the sun fully burns off the mist. But by mid-morning, the quiet is gone. It’s replaced by the roar of generators, the shriek of kids, and the smell of fry grease wafting from the food trucks.

This is the scene at the 17th annual New Castle Kids Fishing Derby, an event that has become less of a local contest and more of a community infrastructure project. It shows how much locals care about keeping their kids engaged and their local businesses visible.

John Harcourt, who organized the event, didn’t just list the sponsors. He highlighted the machinery behind the magic. It wasn’t just about who caught the biggest fish; it was about who kept the lights on and the pizza hot.

“It was an amazing day,” Harcourt wrote in a letter to the editor. “A special thank you to all of the 20-plus volunteers and 44 sponsors that helped Harcourt Fly Fishing Outfitters put this event on for the 17th year.”

The scale of support is what stands out. You don’t pull off a capacity crowd of 140 anglers with almost every single one catching fish without serious logistical backing. Wendy’s didn’t just show up; they donated over $1,000 in 150 large combo meals. Arby’s pitched in 150 coupons worth over $500. Glenwood Grease Monkey has provided the trophies for over 12 years.

“The largest fish was 18 inches and our grand champion, Easton Reynolds, landed 21 fish in 60 minutes,” Harcourt noted.

The prizes tell the story of local economic integration. The top three anglers didn’t just get a plastic trophy. They got passes to the Glenwood Adventure Park, Colorado Adventure Center in Idaho Springs. The winners got to go to Get Air, Bananas Fun Park, and Brenden Movie Theatres. They got pizza from Little Ceasars and New Castle McDonald’s.

It’s a cycle of investment. The community supports the event, the event supports the local businesses, and the businesses support the community. It’s simple economics, executed on a gravel field in New Castle.

But while the fishing derby was a celebration, another letter suggests the town is also busy managing its own governance.

Dave Munk, a Carbondale resident and one of five candidates running for two seats on the Holy Cross Energy board, is urging neighbors to pay attention. The board doesn’t just flip switches; they set the strategic direction for the local electric utility. They oversee operations. They ensure the mission to provide safe, reliable, affordable, and sustainable electricity is upheld.

“This year’s board election opens May 13 and ends with the Annual Meeting on June 11 at the 4 Eagle Ranch in Wolcott,” Munk wrote.

He’s asking people to look beyond the ballot. He wants them to learn about the candidates, to visit the HCE Election website, and to vote. By mail, online, or in person.

“The duty of the board is to ensure that Holy Cross is run in the best interest of our overall membership,” Munk said. “It’s the duty of the board to ensure that Holy Cross is run in the best interest of our overall membership and upholds our mission to provide safe, reliable, affordable and sustainable electricity.”

The timing matters. The election window is open. The stakes are real. And the location of the annual meeting — 4 Eagle Ranch in Wolcott — suggests this isn’t just a corporate formality. It’s a gathering of the people who own the utility.

As Harcourt put it in his closing line, “Please support those that support us.”

It’s a reminder that in a valley this size, success isn’t an accident. It’s a series of deliberate choices, funded by local dollars, managed by local volunteers, and overseen by local boards. The fishing derby shows what happens when you get the details right. The Holy Cross election shows what happens when you get the leadership right.

Both are happening now. Both require your attention.