Noticias

• Telluride Updates Affordable Housing Guidelines
• Montrose County Tries to Ban Wolves
• Listening Club Paints a Bad Self Portrait

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Telluride Updates Affordable Housing Guidelines

The Telluride Town Council voted this week to update its Affordable Housing Guidelines.

The guidelines apply to all Town of Telluride deed-restricted properties — for-sale units such as mitigation units, town-constructed housing, including Silverjack and Longwill, and employee dwelling units.

The guidelines are separate from the town’s Rental Housing Policies, which apply only to rental properties in Telluride.

Telluride Assistant Town Attorney Allie Slaten spoke with KOTO News about the changes. She began by discussing the process.

Story begins at 0:30.

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Montrose County Tries to Ban Wolves

Montrose County is taking a stand against Colorado’s gray wolf reintroduction efforts.

Last week, county commissioners passed an ordinance prohibiting the introduction or migration of nonnative species into the county. The measure specifically targets the state’s gray wolf reintroduction plan, which voters approved in 2020 through Proposition 114.

Commissioner Sean Pond said the ordinance is about protecting both wildlife and private property.

“This would target more of the animals, such as the Canadian Gray Wolf, which was never native to Colorado, and any other species,” Pond said. “It also ties in hand in hand with trying to protect some of those animals. If you look at the $3 million spent for the shy risk moose reintroduction, habitat approval, if you look at the millions of dollars spent for the Gunnison sage grouse habitat improvement, and might be a shocker, but things like wolves eat grouse and moose and Rocky Mountain desert bighorn sheep.”

The ordinance carries a fine of up to $1,000 per violation for introducing a nonnative species. It defines “nonnative” as any species not historically present in Montrose County within the past 100 years.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) said in a statement, “To date, one wolf has made some broad movements through Montrose County periodically over the past five months. The lone female has not spent extended periods of time in any location while passing through.” CPW added, “Gunnison County has experienced a bit more wolf activity with multiple individual wolves moving through the county, though no packs or potential breeding pairs have been established in the county.”

Under the new ordinance, CPW could face fines for natural wolf migration through Montrose County, though it’s unclear how the agency could prevent such movement.

Commissioner Sue Hansen voted against the ordinance, saying it lacks clarity and practical enforcement.

“I don’t think it accomplishes anything except for making a statement,” Hansen said. “And so I’m concerned about the local, state, Satan and federal, how this is going to interact, and how local governments would supersede if they even could.”

Pond said his primary concern is the impact of wolves on private landowners and industry in Montrose County. According to CPW’s management plan, the agency has both nonlethal and lethal measures in place to limit livestock losses. Still, wolves remain a divisive issue in rural Colorado. In 2020, 76% of Montrose County voters opposed Proposition 114, while 64% of voters in neighboring San Miguel County supported it.

Commissioner Scott Mijares, who also voted in favor of the ordinance, said he’s concerned about the potential impact on other endangered species.

“I don’t understand how that, how that would work where we’re introducing an apex predator into our into our communities and environment that literally can endanger endangered species that are federally protected,” Mijares said.

Montrose County officials declined to give further comment to KOTO Radio.

Colorado’s wolf reintroduction plan aims to establish 30 to 50 wolves over the next three to five years across the Western Slope, including areas in and around Telluride and Montrose County.

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Listening Club Paints a Bad Self Portrait

The Wilkinson Public Library will hold its monthly Listening Club on Monday. The event is similar to a book club, but for albums.

James Van Hooser will lead the October session with his selection, Lake Street Dive’s 2014 album Bad Self Portraits. KOTO News spoke with Van Hooser about his choice.

The Listening Club will take place from 6 to 7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 27, at the Telluride Music Company. More information is available at telluridelibrary.org.

Story beings at 11:40.

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Telluride Marshals Arrest Man After Robbery, Vandalism Incident

The Telluride Marshal’s Department took a man into custody following a robbery and vandalism incident on Tuesday night.

Nicholas Nelson was arrested on charges of robbery, criminal mischief and obstruction of justice.

According to the Marshal’s Office, deputies responded to a report of an altercation at O’Bannon’s Irish Pub around 11 p.m. Tuesday. During the investigation, deputies determined Nelson had committed a robbery and caused property damage before fleeing the area. Deputies later located him near the Town Park Skate Park, where he was found vandalizing town property.

Nelson was taken into custody without further incident. The Marshal’s Office said they’re continuing to review the incident, and the investigation is ongoing.

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Ouray Webinar Series Explores Western Water Issues

Looking to brush up on your knowledge of rivers and water in the West? The Uncompahgre Watershed Partnership and Wright Opera House in Ouray have you covered.

The Wright Ed Webinar Fall Series kicks off Oct. 29 and includes four presentations on topics such as the Colorado River, wetland restoration, local water systems and the connection between snow and water supply.

All sessions begin at 9:30 a.m., and attendees can join either in person or online. Visit thewrightoperahouse.org/events for more information.

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Public Lands Face Strain During Ongoing Federal Shutdown

Three weeks into the federal government shutdown, public lands remain open but largely unstaffed, leading to illegal activities and unmaintained facilities.

Advocates are hesitant about local governments and nonprofits stepping in to handle maintenance or keep visitor centers open.

During a webinar hosted by Colorado Sen. John Hickenlooper, panelists agreed that maintaining BLM, Forest Service and National Park Service areas is a federal responsibility.

Tracy Coppola with the National Parks Conservation Association said she’s worried there’s too much focus on public lands as economic drivers.

“But they’re not established for market potential. I know that for national parks, that’s an added bonus. But they don’t exist for just the visitor experience or the dollar. I mean, they exist to tell our full story,” Coppola said.

She added that smaller historical sites managed by the National Park Service could suffer more, both from the shutdown and ongoing staffing cuts.

The Interior Department recently disclosed plans to lay off thousands of workers, including hundreds in the Mountain West.

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Castle Rock Woman Convicted of Voter Fraud

A woman from Castle Rock has been convicted of voter fraud for trying to vote her late ex-husband’s ballot.

For the Colorado Capitol News Alliance, Bente Birkeland reports.

Story begins at 19:10.

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Lake Powell’s Receding Waters Reveal Rebounding Wildlife

Water levels in Lake Powell are dropping fast as drought and steady demand sap the Colorado River. But as the water recedes, it’s revealing canyons that have spent decades underwater.

KUNC’s Alex Hager reports that life is returning — including one charismatic rodent.

Story begins at 20:00.

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