Yesterday, while trick-or-treaters were dressing up as monsters, Taylor Swift and Pikachus, I thought of a costume that might be the scariest of all: the daily commute on I-70 and Colorado Highway 82. The nightmare of constant delays, construction, and accidents is haunting enough to send shivers down anyone’s spine.

It’s time to confront this terrifying reality: the economics of commuting in our region. The daily grind of traveling from the lower valley—places like New Castle, Parachute, and Battlement Mesa—to the upper reaches of the Roaring Fork Valley is wearing people down. And it’s not just the frustration of endless traffic or poor road conditions. The real monster lurking here is the toll this commute takes on the economic and physical well-being of workers, businesses, and communities on both sides of the valley.

I began thinking about this issue during a trip to Aspen in August for CLEER’s Energy Summit, where I was a guest panelist. Living in Rifle, I, like many others, faced the daily decision of whether to drive or take public transit. Although I considered taking the bus from home, the 2.5-hour ride each way simply wasn’t practical. Instead, I drove the gauntlet to Glenwood Springs and just barely found a spot at the 27th Street Park and Ride—it was full by 7:01 a.m. While public transit reduces financial and environmental costs, it’s still not the solution for everyone.

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At the summit, I was disappointed to learn that only about 20% of attendees had taken the bus that day. It begs the question: why aren’t more people using public transit, and what does this reveal about the economics of commuting in our region?

Driving: The monster in your wallet and mind

Let’s talk about the true cost of driving. Like a vampire draining your wallet, commuting by car sucks up $20-$30 a day in fuel, not to mention the wear and tear on your vehicle. The environmental toll is just as ghastly, and yet, many people opt to drive because it seems like the lesser evil. After all, it can save time—though it comes at the expense of mental and emotional well-being. The unpredictability of our commute is like walking through a haunted house, never knowing what horror lies around the next corner.

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When I took the bus, one clear advantage was the bus lane into Aspen, where we sailed past the long line of cars creeping toward their destination. It’s important to note though that when we came through Basalt, I noticed something strange: the bus was full, but the Park and Ride was only half-used. Why aren’t more commuters from this part of the valley taking advantage of this bus lane to Aspen?

Should the Lower Valley be haunted by the burden?

This brings us to the real horror story: why should the burden of commuting fall so heavily on the lower valley? The economies of the upper valley rely on workers commuting from places like Rifle, Silt, and Parachute. And yet, it’s us—the lower valley residents—who bear the brunt of the commute, sacrificing our time, well-being, and resources to keep those upper valley businesses running. At some point, we need to ask ourselves: is it worth it?

This is where the CRVEDP costume comes in; Superman under the guise of Clark Kent. Our mission is focused on “Better Jobs Closer to Home.” Our 2024-2026 Strategic Plan emphasizes creating sustainable job opportunities right here in the Colorado River Valley, giving residents options not to face the daily terror of long, stressful commutes​. By supporting local economies and workforce development, we hope to exorcise the ghost of the long commute from our region’s future.

Time for bold (and not so scary) solutions

If we want to get serious about the economics of commuting, we need to think outside the box. Relying solely on cars and buses is not a long-term solution. I’ve floated the idea of a commuter jet service between Rifle and Aspen. Sound crazy? Perhaps at first. But consider this: Urban Link in South Florida is already piloting zero-emission air travel with electric aircraft set to launch in 2028. It’s not a ghost story—it’s real, and it’s happening. Could something similar work here? Maybe it’s time we stopped being afraid of bold ideas and started talking about them.

Meanwhile, many commuters rely on the Facebook group Roaring Fork Road and Weather to stay updated and vent their frustrations. It’s a virtual haunted house filled with stories of traffic jams and near misses. At CRVEDP, we want to ask the community a different kind of question: How would you spend your time if you weren’t commuting? Could you spend an extra hour or two with family, pursuing hobbies, or supporting local businesses?

The bigger picture: Exorcising the commute

At the Energy Summit, sustainability was a key theme, but our current commuting system is anything but sustainable. It drains not only the environment but also the people who make these long, grueling trips every day. If we want to move toward a thriving future, we need to start thinking beyond traditional commuting methods.

Leaders and businesses across the entire region—from Aspen to Parachute—must be part of the solution, whether it’s improving public transit, exploring new models, or embracing the vision of “Better Jobs Closer to Home.”

Want to be part of the crusade? Reach out to us and learn more about our contribution options. You can email info@crvedp.org or call 970-505-7391, we’re here to listen.

In the meantime, have fun and stay safe this Halloween and El Día de los Muertos season; we hope you made it home in time to grab one of the full-size candy bars you know your neighbor was giving out.

Alicia Gresley is the director of the Colorado River Valley Economic Development Partnership. She lives in Rifle.