News

• Town Council Application Deadline Approaches
• Health Insurance Enrollment in Flux
• Cat Movie Fisher with Risho Unda

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Town Council Application Deadline Approaches

The deadline is approaching to put your name in the hat to sit on the Telluride Town Council.

“There’s a vacancy on Town Council and Council voted on Nov. 25 to pursue an appointment process,” said Lindsey Mills, Telluride communications manager.

“The other option would have been a special election, which is costly, it takes a lot of time, and requires a full election process, if you will,” Mills said.

The town opened the application period last week, and applications are due next week.

In order to qualify for appointment, there are some requirements, but Mills said the town is looking for anyone who wants to serve their community.

“They have to have lived here for the last year, prior to appointment, and they have to be a registered elector. So that requires that you’ve spent some time in the town and you’ve been involved. But the more community involvement the better. Folks want to see people in that seat that are engaged and easy to talk to, and feel like they’re represented by that person,” Mills said.

Questions on the application ask candidates why they’re interested in serving on Town Council, their previous experience, hobbies and interests, and whether they would consider running for Town Council in the next election.

Telluride Town Council members receive around $21,500 for their work, are eligible for town health insurance, and receive a wellness benefit.

For those curious or with questions about applying, Mills suggested watching town council meetings and reaching out to staff.

“All of town staff is available if you have questions. I know the Clerk’s Office is readily available to answer questions about the process or what happens after you get appointed. If you have questions or reservations, town staff is readily available to help with those. Additionally, I know all our current elected officials – our seated councilmembers – are very open and available to having conversations. So, grab them for coffee, have a quick chat and see if this is the right fit for you. It can help you affirm that you want to put that application in, or answer any of those reservations you might have,” Mills said.

Town Council will hold interviews with candidates at 5 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 11, and select a new councilmember on Tuesday, Dec. 16.

The Telluride Association of Realtors will hold an applicant meet-and-greet at 5 p.m. Monday, Dec. 15, at the Elks Lodge. The community is encouraged to attend all meetings and share feedback.

The application is available at bit.ly/totcouncilapp. Applications are due by 5 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 9.

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Health Insurance Enrollment in Flux

As open enrollment begins, Americans are signing up for health insurance on the health care marketplace.

Health care subsidies are set to expire at the end of the year unless Congress votes to extend them. If the subsidies are not renewed, tens of millions of Americans — including nearly 300,000 Coloradans — could see their health care costs increase next year.

KOTO News spoke with Amy Rowan, co-executive director in charge of community programs at Tri-County Health Network, about what insurance enrollment looks like this year, what people should keep in mind while enrolling, and what could change in the future.

Story beings at 3:15.

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Cat Movie Fisher with Risho Unda

Friday means it’s time for Cat Movie Fisher with Telluride High School’s Risho Unda. Each week, Unda chats with members of the community about their favorite movie. In this installment, he talks with Miner School coordinator Tony Delisle.

Story begins at 10:20.

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Telluride Switches to ParkMobile for Parking Payments

The Town of Telluride is transitioning its parking payment provider over the next several months.

The town is moving to ParkMobile, a change officials say is designed to streamline parking for residents, employees and visitors while giving staff improved tools to monitor the system and parking activity.

Physical meters will remain in place, and drivers can still pay at the meter. The town says the switch adds a more convenient mobile option as well; parking payment can be made by text, phone call, website or app. The platform is also available in Spanish.

With ParkMobile, drivers will be able to activate the town’s free 30-minute parking remotely, pay or extend parking from their phone and receive notifications about their parking status.

The town is also rolling out a new license plate reader system to more efficiently identify parking compliance. Under the new system, tickets will be mailed directly to the address where the vehicle is registered.

Information on tickets associated with a vehicle’s license plate is available at bit.ly/totparkingviolations.

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Library Trivia Comes to Stronghouse

Gather your friends, your knowledge and your competitive spirit.

The Wilkinson Public Library is partnering with Stronghouse Brew Pub for a night of trivia. Participants can compete for prizes and sign up for a library card.

Trivia begins at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 9, at Stronghouse.

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Colorado Secretary of State Denies DOJ Request for Voter Data

Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold has rejected a new request from the U.S. Department of Justice for sensitive voter information.

For the Colorado Capitol News Alliance, Kyle McKinnon reports it is the second time the Trump administration has sought voter data in Colorado this year.

Story begins at 15:32.

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Utah Youth Sue Over State’s Oil, Gas Permits

A group of young people in Utah is suing the state’s Division of Oil, Gas and Mining, alleging that its oil and gas permitting violates their rights to life, health and safety.

All ten plaintiffs live in counties that have received “F” grades from the American Lung Association for poor air quality.

Andrea Rodgers, an attorney with Our Children’s Trust, a nonprofit that handles climate lawsuits led by children and young adults, said the state’s division has been violating Utah law, which mandates that energy policy prioritize “human wellbeing and quality of life.”

“The defendants… have been continuing to issue permits without regard for whether or not they’re needed in terms of energy development, without regard to the fact that they perpetuate the harms and the poor air quality that the plaintiffs are exposed to, and without regard to the greenhouse gas emissions that are caused by these permits,” Rodgers said.

Since March, Utah has issued 364 permits for oil and gas and one permit for coal mining.

The Division of Oil, Gas and Mining said it is reviewing the lawsuit and is committed to regulating energy development to protect the environment and public safety.

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In Ukraine, “Van Life” Becomes a Lifeline Amid War

In the Mountain West, van life is a familiar sight: travelers hitting the road, living out of their vehicles and chasing adventure.

Thousands of miles away in Ukraine, the war with Russia has forced people to rethink life on the move — not for adventure, but for survival.

Ukraine’s military depends on civilian drivers to transport everything from medical kits to donated ambulances into the war zone.

Emily Cohen of KHOL joined one of these volunteer convoys and met a woman who has turned her own version of van life into a lifeline, shuttling vehicles across borders sometimes with just a few hours’ notice.

Story begins at 17:50.