Noticias

• Meehan Fee Steps Back from Town Council Pending Investigation
• Towns Look to Support Community Through Economic Uncertainty
• Cat Movie Fisher with Risho Unda

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Meehan Fee Steps Back from Town Council Pending Investigation

Telluride Town Councilmember Meehan Fee will be stepping back from her position on the council pending an investigation into her conversations and actions regarding a proposed purchase of the Telluride Ski Resort.

Fee spoke at a special Telluride Town Council meeting on Tuesday.

“I do look forward to the impartial, independent investigation. I believe there’s nothing more critical than the transparency in government to maintain the trust between the community and the town as an institution. I’m happy to step back. I also want to say I’m grateful for the support of the many community members and I will comment further upon the resolution of the investigation,” Fee said.

During the labor dispute between Telski and the Telluride Ski Patrol Union, Fee and former Mountain Village Mayor Marti Prohaska traveled to California to hold conversations with Telski owner Chuck Horning. Fee and Prohaska say they went as private citizens. Following that visit, the ski company filed a Freedom of Information Act request to obtain correspondence in connection to “a purchase offer of the ski company.”

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

Prohaska resigned from her position after learning that Mountain Village was considering a similar investigation. In her resignation letter, she said it would not be fair for Mountain Village staff and taxpayers to “shoulder the burden” of an investigation.

On Tuesday, Telluride Town Council held an executive session to discuss the possibility of an investigation. In a public discussion following the session, council members were unified in supporting a third-party investigation.

“The foundation of this government is our constituents trusting us, and I think right now, regardless of what comes from this third-party investigation, there’s a violation of trust within the public and within our council,” Councilmember Elena Levin said.

Council also discussed asking Fee to either step back from her governmental duties during the investigation or to fully resign.

Councilmember Ashley Von Spreeken said she doesn’t believe it is council’s place to request a full resignation.

“I don’t think we should get into the habit, as councilmembers, giving our opinions on the record and directly as a group about whether or not certain [councilmembers] should resign or not. It’s not saying I don’t think there’s enough information right now that would be justifiable for her to resign with. But I think each of us, as elected officials, have to make those decisions ourselves,” Von Spreeken said.

Council does not have the authority to force Fee to step back or resign, but it urged her to step back during the investigation, which she agreed to do.

During the investigation, Fee will continue to receive her council pay and benefits. She will be subject to Telluride’s new council attendance policy, although the remainder of council can waive her absences during that time. Council will also determine who will temporarily fulfill Fee’s duties as mayor pro tem and on boards and commissions.

Following an hour of discussion and public comment, Councilmember Dan Enright made a motion.

“I move to authorize and direct the Town Attorney and the Town Manager to pursue options for a factual, unbiased, and neutral third-party investigation as to the conduct of the Telluride Mayor pro tem Meehan Fee in regards to a visit and meetings with the owner, and any applicable staff, agents, or representatives of TSG Ski & Golf LLC, also known as Telski, in California that resulted in a December 29, 2025, written offer to purchase the majority of the ownership interest in Telski by Telluride Mayor pro tem Meehan Fee and former Town of Mountain Village Mayor Marti Prohaska, on behalf of an entity known as the Telluride Ski Resort Fund. And further direct the Town Attorney and Town Manager to report back to the Town Council with those investigative options for further direction as to recommend course of action for said investigation. In addition, the town would strongly encourage full disclosure and full cooperation from Ms. Fee and any parties involved in this matter, provide all possible relevant information during the course of this investigation. And we would strongly encourage Ms. Fee to take a temporary leave of absence from her town duties and responsibilities until the investigation is complete,” Enright said.

The council passed the motion unanimously.

Town staff will bring options to the council regarding who could conduct the investigation and what the investigation could entail. The Town of Telluride will pay for the cost of the investigation.

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Towns Look to Support Community Through Economic Uncertainty

Local governments are working through ways to support the community and businesses during the current uncertain economic landscape.

At Mountain Village’s Town Council meeting last week and in a special Telluride Town Council meeting Tuesday, each municipality discussed how it plans to provide financial help.

Previously, the governments discussed creating a joint program to help businesses in the region. However, the jurisdictions are now planning to focus internally.

In Telluride, Town Council is committing to allocate $400,000 for local business support.

“I think the application for that funding needs to involve showing a loss. I think, while most of our businesses are suffering, there may be some that aren’t or aren’t as much, and I want to make sure we’re getting that money to the people who need it the most,” said Telluride Town Councilmember Elena Levin. “I think it should show lost income that they normally count on and it’s tied to hard costs like rent, insurance, utilities, things like that.”

Telluride Town Council plans to discuss the business relief program further at its meeting next Tuesday, Jan. 27.

Telluride is also planning on reducing the water and wastewater rate increase to 2.5%.

Both communities are putting additional funding toward the Telluride Tourism Board to support destination marketing. Telluride is planning for $262,500, and Mountain Village committed to $525,000, likely collaborating with the Telluride Mountain Village Owners Association on the funding. In addition, Telluride plans to give $100,000 to the Colorado Flights Alliance.

For Mountain Village business recovery, Mountain Village Town Council is planning to allocate $100,000 for local businesses.

“I’d like us to do something quick, and easy to administrate that’s not really hard for the businesses to comply with,” noted Mountain Village Town Councilmember Pete Duprey said.

The funding will be reserved for restaurants, brick-and-mortar establishments and food carts in Mountain Village, with a cap of $15,000 per business.

Mountain Village will have more information coming on what the business relief application looks like.

Mountain Village and Telluride are also each putting an additional $100,000 into the Good Neighbor Fund to support residents facing hardship. To apply for the Good Neighbor Fund, go to telluridefoundation.org.

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Cat Movie Fisher with Risho Unda

Each week on Cat Movie Fisher, Telluride High School’s Risho Unda chats with members of the community about their favorite movies.

In this installment, it’s a doubleheader. Unda chats with Colin Casanova.

Story beings at 8:15.

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Harlem Quartet Brings Genre-Blending Concert to Telluride

The Harlem Quartet can’t be pinned to one genre. The musical group seamlessly blends classical music with jazz and Latin influences.

This weekend, the quartet will be in Telluride for a night of music at the Sheridan Opera House, presented by Telluride Chamber Music.

The evening will begin with Beethoven and travel through time and genre, ending with a jazz piece by composer Wynton Marsalis.

Organizers note the concert will be uplifting and inspirational, calling it “the perfect solace from current stresses of day-to-day life.”

In addition to the concert, the Harlem Quartet will also hold an educational workshop for local students in collaboration with the Palm Theatre.

The Harlem Quartet will perform at the Sheridan Opera House on Saturday, Jan. 24, at 7 p.m. Tickets are available at telluridechambermusic.org.

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CAIC Launches Winter Observations Challenge

The Colorado Avalanche Information Center plays a critical role in providing safety information for the backcountry.

This winter, the nonprofit Friends of the CAIC is launching its Observations Challenge to collect data from the backcountry and give out prizes.

According to Friends of the CAIC, the program asks backcountry recreators to report information about avalanches, snowpack and other weather observations to assist CAIC forecasters in understanding avalanche conditions throughout the state.

The CAIC notes community members do not need to be professionals, adding that simple and timely reports from the field can help inform forecasts, influence travel decisions and potentially prevent accidents.

Each month this season, individuals who submit an observation will be entered into a drawing for outdoor gear.

Recreators can submit observations at support.friendsofcaic.org.

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Colorado Launches ICE Misconduct Portal

Colorado is opening an online portal next week where the public can log misconduct by Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

The Attorney General’s Office says the portal will be used to review documented ICE activity in the state and address any concerns. According to Denver 7, Attorney General Phil Weiser referenced the current situation in Minnesota and said he wants to keep Coloradans safe.

ICE activity in Minnesota has surged since Renee Good was killed by an agent earlier this month.

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Doulas Improve Maternal Health in Colorado

Among higher-income countries, the U.S. has long had one of the worst maternal mortality rates — particularly for Black women and those living in rural areas.

As Aspen Public Radio’s Sarah Tory reports doulas provide emotional and physical support throughout pregnancy, labor, birth and the postpartum period. Along with regular nursing care, the presence of a doula often leads to better birth outcomes, like healthier infants and reduced rates of postpartum depression.

According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, it can also reduce maternal mortality rates.

Indra Lusero is the founder and director of Elephant Circle, a Colorado-based birth justice organization.

“Data about the value of doulas has been going on for at least 20 years, and it started to be clear enough that some people said that if doulas were a drug, it would be malpractice not to prescribe them,” Lusero said.

In 2024, Colorado’s Medicaid program added doulas as a covered benefit, improving access for low-income women in the state. Lusero says there are currently about 100 doulas enrolled in the program.

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New Documentary Highlights Importance of Local Journalism

Truth Be Told is a new documentary that explores the vital role of local journalism in sustaining informed communities and a healthy democracy.

The 45-minute film features five Colorado media outlets, including KSUT Public Radio.

For Rocky Mountain Community Radio, KSUT’s Tami Graham spoke with Brian Malone, the filmmaker behind the project.

Story beings at 16:00.