News

• Goat Graze the Valley Floor
• Telluride Comprehensive Plan Looks Into the Future

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Goat Graze the Valley Floor

It’s not unusual to see an elk on the Valley Floor. Birds are bountiful. You may see a coyote. But recently a different animal grazed the landscape. K-O-T-O’s Julia Caulfield was there and has this report.

Story begins at 1:00

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Telluride Comprehensive Plan Looks Into the Future

Imagine Telluride in 30 years — with abundant housing, less traffic, electric vehicles humming quietly along Main Street, and expanded pedestrian walkways. These ideas are part of a conversation underway as the town updates its long-term vision through the Telluride Comprehensive Plan.

Town administrators and elected officials met last week with Logan Simpson, a community planning group, to discuss the framework.

“It is a long term and strategic guide. So we’re looking 10–20 years out, it also includes vision. It includes goals and strategies as well. So that vision plan that you all went through that process a few years ago, that was not all for nothing,” said Sophie Brandenburg with Logan Simpson. “We are, during this phase, reconfirming that vision and will ensure that that will be carried throughout the process. It is a tool that helps shape decisions related to new development, infrastructure, services, programs. It’s not just a land use document, but it really does address all sorts of issues and opportunities across the town, so all departments are going to be plugging into this process.”

The plan builds on the Telluride Vision Plan developed over the last few years and aims to update the 2006 Telluride Master Plan to reflect current and future needs.

“If we’re talking about what the story of the town is now, we want to reflect kind of where the town sits, what’s changed over the past 20–30 years, what we can anticipate to see over the next 20–30 years, and kind of tell that story, kind of setting the stage for what we need to address in goals and policies plan. So we’ll be beginning that process,” said Megan Moore with Logan Simpson.

Moore asked council members for feedback on the existing vision statement, which reads:
A Livable Telluride will remain a sustainable, authentic, and connected community. We are a small mountain town that embraces and sustains its distinctive natural setting, advances its reputation for innovation and cultural heritage, and remains true to its roots as a livable and genuine community for future generations of residents, workers, and visitors.

Councilmember Meehan Fee shared a personal reflection on the town’s character.

“You know, there’s a guy that I work with, and he used this expression a couple months ago that I absolutely love — that is, like, this isn’t like a small town, but it’s just a really big family,” Fee said. “And I think that, to me, kind of drives to the core of what Telluride is all about. Like, everybody is different. They have different value drivers. But at the end of the day, like you know, you can not love your aunt, but she’s still your aunt. And I think that that’s the way this community is too.”

Councilmember Dan Enright pointed to housing costs as a major concern for Telluride’s future economy.

“It’s one of my biggest concerns in the next 10 years, relating to the sort of quote ‘Aspenification’ of Telluride, is that that cost of real estate makes running a small business incredibly difficult,” Enright said. “Especially in our seasonal economy, where there’s three to five months of the year where you’re pulling in next to no income in this community. And how do you operate a small business with those sort of realities stacked against you?”

The Telluride Comprehensive Plan will unfold in three phases and is designed to include input from residents, business owners, and visitors. The town will host workshops, conduct surveys, and collect feedback through June 2026.

To sign up for updates and get involved in the process, visit bit.ly/totnews.

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Tolno Leads Guinean Drumming, Dance Class at Wilkinson Library

Etienne Tolno is back with a joyful, interactive drumming and dance class designed for all ages. Participants will learn a specific Guinean rhythm on the Djembe drum, as well as foundational techniques to play in harmony with others.

The second half of the class will focus on learning the dance rhythm associated with the drum rhythm taught earlier. The session is a full body, mind and heart experience, incorporating left and right brain coordination, community connection and a deeper understanding of Guinean arts. Song is also part of the program.

Etienne Tolno is a professional musician from Guinea, West Africa. He specializes in percussion, but also teaches dance and song. He began his music career at 16, performing with several professional companies.

The free program takes place at Wilkinson Public Library on July 30 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Preregistration is encouraged at telluridelibrary.org.

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Road Repairs on Alta Lakes Road to Cause Delays July 30–31

San Miguel County Road and Bridge will perform repairs on County Road 64F/Alta Lakes Road on Wednesday, July 30 and Thursday, July 31.

The work will require temporary lane closures on State Highway 145 near Mile Marker 66 and the Alta Lakes turnoff. Motorists should expect up to 15-minute delays in both directions between 8 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.

Alta Lakes Road will remain closed during construction, including the parking area near the highway.

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Elkhorn Fire Near Durango Forces Evacuations, Threatens Infrastructure

A new wildfire north of Durango has forced the evacuation of 41 homes.

The Elkhorn Fire began Sunday on Missionary Ridge and had grown to 345 acres by this morning. It remains zero percent contained.

Spokespeople for the firefighting team say efforts are focused on halting the fire’s advance toward critical infrastructure rather than full containment. Crews have called in retardant drops and continue to work fire lines on the ground.

Cooler evening temperatures and rising humidity this week could help slow the fire’s spread.

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Attorney Says Tina Peters’ Legal Fight Will Take Time

The lead attorney working to free former Mesa County Clerk Tina Peters from prison says the legal process will take time.

For the Colorado Capitol News Alliance, Bente Birkeland reports.

Story begins at 13:05

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Rural Hospitals Brace for Medicaid Cuts Under Federal Spending Bill

According to the National Rural Health Organization, Medicaid covers a greater proportion of residents in rural areas than in urban ones.

As a result of the bill — referred to by some as the “One Big Beautiful Bill” — rural hospitals across the region are preparing for potential cuts.

Jeff Sollis, CEO of St. John’s Health in Jackson, Wyoming, told K-H-O-L’s Pete Muldoon that those cuts could lead to crowded emergency rooms and higher healthcare costs.

Story begins at 14:04