• Nonprofits Help Keep Forests Open, Safe, and Accessible

    June 13, 2025

    As trail season kicks off in the San Juans, local nonprofits like the Telluride Mountain Club and San Juan Mountains Association are working alongside the Forest Service to clear downed trees, manage erosion and keep public trails open and safe for everyone.

  • A large group of cyclists pose with their bicycles in front of a weathered, corrugated metal building under a clear blue sky.

    The Grand Loop Provides

    June 4, 2025

    Riders from across the country gathered in Nucla for the Grand Loop, a 350-mile bikepacking challenge through rugged terrain, heat, and high country solitude. This year’s ride saw record times, community spirit, and a deep test of endurance.

  • Several dancers in mid-air perform leaps on stage, embodying mass movement in light-colored costumes against a blue abstract background—a scene that radiates good news and vibrant energy.

    Mass Movement Brings Good News

    June 2, 2025

    Ballet, tap, aerial silks, and more take center stage as the Telluride Dance Collective presents its annual Mass Movement show. With no auditions and dancers ranging from seasoned professionals to first-time performers, the event celebrates inclusivity, joy, and the expressive power of movement. Catch the performance at the Palm Theatre on June 5.

  • A large group of teenagers poses together outdoors at sunrise or sunset, with mountains in the background and one person holding a flag to celebrate their graduation as the Class of 2025.

    Celebrating the Class of 2025

    May 28, 2025

    The Telluride High School Class of 2025 will receive their diplomas Thursday, marking the end of one chapter and the beginning of the next.

    On Wednesday, graduating seniors paraded down Main Street in the school’s annual Graduation Parade, cheered on by families, friends and community members.

    KOTO's Julia Caulfield was on the scene, asking paradegoers: What advice do you wish you had received when you graduated from high school?

  • A wooden sign reads “Imogene Pass, Elev 13,114 ft” on a mountain pass near Telluride, with cars parked nearby under a partly cloudy sky and signs of recent repairs along the rugged road.

    Imogene Pass Road Closed for Summer as Repairs Begin Near Telluride

    May 27, 2025

    San Miguel County crews are repairing major storm damage near Royer Gulch. The route will stay closed to vehicles through most of the summer.

  • Representative Hurd, dressed in a dark suit, light shirt, and striped tie, sits before a blurred backdrop, facing the camera with a neutral expression—reflecting his focus on San Miguel County issues.

    Hurd backs House budget cutting rural energy tax credits, SNAP and Medicaid

    May 27, 2025

    U.S. Rep. Jeff Hurd voted for a sweeping House budget bill that cuts billions in clean energy tax credits used by rural utilities, along with deep reductions to SNAP and Medicaid. Local leaders warn of major setbacks for energy resilience projects across western Colorado.

  • A group of children, filled with wonder, listens to adults in lab coats teaching outdoors by a pond on the valley floor, with mountains and trees in the background under a clear sky.

    Valley Floor Day Sparks Curiosity and Wonder

    May 16, 2025

    Kindergarten through second-grade students in Telluride spent a day exploring the Valley Floor as part of the annual Education Day. Led by local nonprofits, the outdoor event featured hands-on STEM learning, environmental science, and lessons about the region’s history and ecology — inspiring the next generation of environmental stewards.

  • A group of twenty people wearing matching green shirts pose for a group photo outside a building in Colorado; most are standing, with some kneeling or sitting in front.

    AmeriCorps Cuts Leave Hundreds in Colorado Without Service Roles, Prompting Legal Challenge

    May 9, 2025

    Hundreds of AmeriCorps members in Colorado had their service terms abruptly ended after the Trump administration announced major funding cuts. Lt. Gov. Dianne Primavera says the move threatens rural nonprofits, education programs, and public land conservation projects. Colorado has joined 24 other states in suing the federal government to block the cuts.

  • A house with solar panels covering the roof sits in a grassy field, with the sun setting in the background and clouds drifting across the sky.

    Telluride Sixth Grader Explores Beet Juice, Solar Panels in Statewide Science Fair

    May 8, 2025

    Telluride sixth grader Ingram Olson is tackling climate change one solar panel at a time. After months of research and a boost from NREL, Olson presented his beet juice-powered solar project at the Colorado Science and Engineering Fair—earning the Burt Rutan Energy Award.

  • View from a mountain peak in San Miguel County overlooking a green forested landscape on federal public lands, with a clear blue sky and scattered white clouds above. Rocky terrain is visible in the foreground.

    San Miguel County Passes Resolution Supporting Federal Public Lands

    May 1, 2025

    San Miguel County commissioners voted unanimously to support federal public lands in a resolution citing their role in the local economy, environment, and quality of life, while also opposing federal efforts to weaken protections.

  • Sheriff Dan Covault, with gray hair and a mustache, wearing a blue shirt and striped tie, stands next to an American flag against a beige wall.

    Dan Covault Prepares to Be Sheriff

    May 1, 2025

    Dan Covault has been appointed as the next sheriff of San Miguel County, following Sheriff Bill Masters’ retirement after 45 years. Covault, a 25-year veteran of local law enforcement, reflects on his journey, the challenges of stepping into Masters' legacy, and his hopes for the San Miguel County Sheriff's Office.

  • Interim Sheriff Dan Covault, a middle-aged man with gray hair and a mustache, is wearing a blue dress shirt and a striped tie, standing against a plain beige background.

    Dan Covault Named as Interim Sheriff

    April 30, 2025

    Undersheriff Dan Covault has been appointed as interim sheriff of San Miguel County, following Sheriff Bill Masters’ upcoming retirement. Covault will serve the remainder of Masters’ term, expiring in 2026, after a public selection process involving extensive community input and interviews with both finalists.

  • Side-by-side portraits of two men: one with gray hair, a mustache, blue shirt, and striped tie; the other in a tan sheriff’s uniform with a badge, standing in front of an American flag—both sheriff candidates committed to law enforcement.

    Sheriff Candidates Share Thoughts on Policing

    April 23, 2025

    The two candidates vying to be appointed as San Miguel County sheriff shared their thoughts on a number of topics during interviews with the San Miguel Board of County Commissioners on Tuesday.

    San Miguel County Undersheriff Dan Covault and San Miguel County Sheriff Operations Sgt. Lane Masters are looking to be appointed to the position, which will be left vacant when current Sheriff Bill Masters steps down in June. The appointed sheriff will serve the remainder of Sheriff Masters’ term, which is up in 2026.

  • A scenic view of green grass and rocky ground leading to dense pine forests—an ideal setting for the Telluride trail proposal—with tall, rugged mountains and a clear blue sky in the background.

    Telluride Mountain Club Proposes New Trails

    April 9, 2025

    The Telluride Mountain Club has proposed 11 miles of new trails and five miles of trail restoration. While supporters cite access and connectivity, some residents are voicing concerns about environmental impact and increased traffic as the Forest Service reviews the plan.

  • A skier in a green jacket and helmet carves down a groomed snowy slope at Telluride, taking on Telski challenges, leaving a trail of powder amidst tall pine trees and snow-covered peaks under a clear blue sky.

    Telluride Challenges Telski

    April 2, 2025

    Telluride Town Council is calling out Telski for a lack of leadership and accountability, urging owner Chuck Horning to step up and address community concerns. Council members stressed the need for collaboration while advocating for more transparent decision-making.