Noticias

• Executive Session Reveals Continued Resort Closure Fallout
• Sean Murphy Steps Down as San Miguel County Court Judge
• Colorado General Assembly Gavels In

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Executive Session Reveals Continued Resort Closure Fallout

Tension surrounding the Telluride Ski Resort closure and subsequent events continues to reverberate through the community.

During the labor dispute between Telski and the Telluride Ski Patrol Union, former Mountain Village Mayor Marti Prohaska and Telluride Town Councilmember Meehan Fee traveled to California to hold conversations with Telski owner Chuck Horning. Prohaska and Fee say they went as private citizens.

Following that visit, the ski company filed a Freedom of Information Act request to obtain correspondence related to “a purchase offer of the ski company.”

The request included a contract indicating an agreement for Horning to sell 51% of the Telluride Ski Resort to the Telluride Ski Resort Fund, an entity controlled by Prohaska and Fee. The contract was signed by Prohaska and Fee but was not signed by Horning.

Prohaska resigned from her role as Mountain Village mayor last Tuesday after learning the Mountain Village Town Council requested a private investigation into her conversations.

During Mountain Village’s town council meeting Thursday, council held an executive session to discuss the possibility of an investigation.

The session was held under attorney-client privilege so Mountain Village attorney David McConaughy could provide legal advice confidentially. However, the conversation was later published on an anonymous message board on social media.

Ultimately, council decided during the executive session that an investigation into the matter is not warranted.

According to McConaughy, the scope of a town investigation could only result in a public censure or removal from office. He said because Prohaska voluntarily stepped down, the point is somewhat moot.

He added he does not believe the trip, conversations with Horning, or the unsigned contract could rise to the level of criminal ethics violations because the deal did not go through. The recording did, however, reveal the scope of unease local officials are experiencing.

In the executive session, Mountain Village Town Manager Paul Wisor also disclosed that he knew about Prohaska and Fee’s trip to California and put them in contact with investors interested in purchasing the ski company. Wisor offered to step down from his position if council thought it would be best for the government and community. Town Council did not indicate that Wisor’s resignation was necessary.

Meanwhile, in Telluride, Town Council will hold an executive session Tuesday, followed by a public meeting to discuss a potential investigation into Fee’s participation in the matter.

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Sean Murphy Steps Down as San Miguel County Court Judge

Sean Murphy has stepped down from his position as San Miguel County Court judge following a complaint alleging judicial ethics violations.

Murphy was suspended from his position after the Colorado Commission on Judicial Discipline filed a nine-page complaint stating Murphy was “failing to adequately perform his judicial duties.”

The complaint called out five claims: engaging in a pattern of lengthy and inexcusable delays in issuing orders, sometimes for years; failing to issue orders at all in several cases; beginning hearings substantially late for nearly all court appearances, per witness accounts; conducting court remotely so often that stakeholders question whether he is a resident of his judicial district; and failing at times to act professionally when conducting court.

The matter went before a Colorado Adjudicative Judicial Discipline Panel. At the beginning of January, at the request of the parties involved, that panel sent the case back to the Commission on Judicial Discipline to re-evaluate the case in light of “newly discovered information that health issues played a substantial factor in the conduct alleged in the Complaint.”

Murphy officially resigned from his position on January 9th.

The 7th Judicial District is now tasked with selecting nominees for appointment by Governor Jared Polis.

Six individuals sit on the nominating commission. They will interview candidates, and send nominees to the governor to appoint. Interviews for the nominees will take place on February 2nd.

To qualify for the role, an applicant must be a qualified elector of San Miguel County and have graduated high school, or attained an equivalent of a high school education. Salary for the position is just over $68,000 and is a 35% part-time position.

The term length for a new county judge is a two-year term. After that, an incumbent judge may serve a four-year term if approved by the voters.

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General Assembly Gavels In

The Colorado General Assembly gaveled into session on Wednesday. In this installment of Capitol Conversation, statehouse reporters Bente Birkeland and Lucas Brady Woods share the latest.

After gaveling in, legislative leaders gave opening-day speeches. Both Democrats and Republicans said they plan to prioritize making life more affordable for Coloradans and balancing the state’s massive budget deficit. In her speech, House Speaker Julie McCluskie also condemned rising political violence in the U.S. and called on lawmakers to maintain civility and respect.

As Bente Birkeland reports for the Colorado Capitol News Alliance, one of the biggest challenges lawmakers face is another huge budget shortfall. That means it will be hard for any bill that costs money to make it across the finish line. Democrats still hold a wide majority in both chambers. Both parties say they want to focus on making Colorado a more affordable place to live.

Gov. Jared Polis gave his final State of the State address on Thursday before a joint session of the Colorado Legislature. Woods reports the speech was sentimental, but also laid out Polis’ priorities for his last year in office.

Polis opened on a somber note, reflecting on the COVID-19 pandemic, wildfires and mass shootings that happened during his two terms. He then highlighted some of his favorite achievements, including free kindergarten, universal preschool and progress on Colorado’s clean energy goals. Polis also criticized the Trump administration over funding cuts to states, imposing tariffs and its hardline immigration policies.

“Over the past 12 months it seems like Washington has been in it to break it down. To make life harder and less affordable. To make Americans feel more fearful, more belligerent and more vulnerable,” Polis said.

Looking ahead, Polis urged lawmakers to tackle some of his remaining priorities this year, including building more affordable housing. He also expressed frustration over the cost of Medicaid and its growing burden on Colorado’s budget.

Finally, leaders from the Ute Mountain Ute and Southern Ute tribes gave the fourth annual State of the Tribes address on Friday before a joint session of the Colorado Legislature. Southern Ute Chairman Melvin J. Baker called on lawmakers to collaborate more on public safety, environmental contamination cleanups and the illegal construction of power lines on tribal land. Ute Mountain Ute Tribal Council member Marilynn House urged lawmakers to consult with tribes more often.

“The government has broken many promises and treaties. A way to move forward from the past would be to always consult with tribes,” House said.

House and Baker also highlighted housing, health care, Colorado River water rights and sports betting as other key issues for the tribes. The Ute Mountain Ute and Southern Ute reservations are in southwest Colorado, but the tribes lived for generations across much of the state. Other tribes, including the Arapahoe and the Cheyenne, also called Colorado home.

The Colorado General Assembly is in session through May 13,2026.

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San Miguel County Public Health Encourages Vaccinations Amid High Flu Activity

The San Miguel County Public Health Department is continuing to recommend immunizations for children and adults despite changes in recommended vaccine schedules from the federal government.

The Public Health Department notes national flu cases continue to rise, adding that Colorado is one of the leading states in flu cases this season.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, influenza-like illness is at a 30-year high, and infections have not yet peaked for the season. The CDC says the intensity of the flu this year is attributed to a virus mutation that occurred after the flu vaccine was finalized.

San Miguel County Public Health notes that even if the vaccine does not prevent illness, it provides protection against severe illness. Public Health adds it is not too late to get the vaccine, as the flu season typically stretches into March or April.

Public Health provides flu and COVID-19 vaccines regardless of insurance status.

To schedule a vaccination through the Public Health Department, go to bit.ly/SMCPH-VAX.

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Telluride Film Festival Comes to the Library

The Telluride Film Festival is coming to the Wilkinson Public Library with a new series, Global Urgent Cinema.

The three-part series will take place this winter and spring and will showcase global cinema that responds to urgent social, political and environmental realities. The film festival notes the series aims to provide a meaningful and communal filmgoing experience while fostering global awareness and civic engagement.

The first film in the series will be The Reserve, a 2025 film by Pablo Perez Lombardini. Set in southern Mexico, the film follows Julia, a forest ranger balancing family life with the protection of her homeland’s fragile ecology. Julia’s world is turned upside down when she hears chainsaws echo through the forest.

The series is free and open to the community. The first film, The Reserve, will screen Thursday, Jan. 29. Doors open at 5 p.m., with the film starting at 5:30 p.m.

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NCAR Left Out of Federal Funding Package

The National Center for Atmospheric Research, or NCAR, in Boulder did not receive any funding in the recently passed appropriations package.

That is despite efforts from Colorado’s senators to secure money for the facility, which employs more than 1,000 scientists and works on weather forecasting, aviation safety, disaster preparedness and military operations, among other areas.

Last month, the Trump administration said it would dismantle the facility, calling it a “source of climate alarmism.” Senate Republicans blocked the amendment put forth by Colorado’s senators.

Sen. John Hickenlooper said NCAR was one example of retaliation against Colorado by the Trump administration.

“As part of his campaign against Colorado, President Trump also denied emergency disaster relief to help families rebuild after devastating wildfires and floods. He canceled millions of dollars for clean energy. He slashed hundreds of millions in child care assistance for families, and denied 50,000 rural Coloradans clean drinking water,” Hickenlooper said.

He said the lack of NCAR funding made America less safe and that the threat of climate disasters such as wildfires and hurricanes will remain.

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Communities Honor Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Today is Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The federal holiday is observed each year on the third Monday of January, near Dr. King’s birthday on Jan. 15.

Across the region, communities are marking the day with events honoring Dr. King’s legacy and his work for racial justice.

Trey Morris is one of the organizers of events taking place in Boulder County. He says many of Dr. King’s messages feel especially relevant right now, but one, in particular, is shaping this year’s programming.

“One of the things that Dr. King hits on, very much so in his Letter from Birmingham Jail, is the need for direct action. So there is no perfect time to start; you start when you feel the need,” Morris said. “He talks about creating this nonviolent tension as well, because without that, there’s no reason for the people you want to negotiate with for civil rights and things of that nature to come to the table. If there’s no tension there, if we simply take what they give us—the unjust things they do to us—without complaint, they’ll continue to do it.”

As today is a federal holiday, banks and schools are closed. Unlike previous years, however, Martin Luther King Jr. Day is no longer a National Parks fee-free day, following changes made by the Trump administration.