• A person stands in front of a spinning Ferris wheel-like structure engulfed in flames, with sparks flying in the night.

    Camp V’s Planet V Festival Gathers Community, Art and Connection in the West End

    May 16, 2025

    Camp V's annual Planet V festival in Naturita brings together art, music, and community in a uniquely Western setting. Founded during the pandemic, the gathering continues to grow as a space for creativity, freedom and connection

  • 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.

  • Five adults stand together in a graffiti-covered room; four smile at the camera while the woman in red on the right pulls a wide-eyed, surprised face. The casual, energetic scene echoes the vibe of Music on the Mesa Norwood 2025.

    2025 Music on the Mesa Lineup Announced

    May 5, 2025

    Pixie and the Partygrass Boys will kick off the free 2025 Music on the Mesa concert series June 15 at Norwood’s Pig Palace, with Electro Lust to follow on Aug. 10.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Snow-covered mountains under a clear blue sky, with sunlight casting shadows on the slopes and dense forests visible on the lower hills—an area known for careful avalanche zoning in Ophir, Colorado.

    Avalanche zoning divides Ophir community as ordinance heads to General Assembly

    March 31, 2025

    The town of Ophir, Colorado, grapples with balancing building development and avalanche risk, as debates over outdated zoning maps and safety regulations unfold.

  • A small town is nestled in a green valley surrounded by lush, forested mountains, with ski lift chairs visible in the foreground and rugged peaks beyond—a scene made possible for many by the Telluride Foundations $100K Program.

    Telluride Foundation Launches $100K Down Payment Assistance Program

    March 26, 2025

    The Telluride Foundation, in partnership with local governments, is launching a new down payment assistance program, offering up to $100,000 to help qualified families buy homes in San Miguel County and surrounding areas.

  • Mountains covered in green forests under a dramatic sky with orange clouds at sunset. Snow patches on the peaks add contrast, while local nonprofits work to protect this vibrant landscape and its natural beauty for future generations.

    Federal Funding Confusion for Local Nonprofits

    March 24, 2025

    Eco-Action Partners and Sheep Mountain Alliance face uncertainty as an EPA funding freeze disrupts their federal grant. With little communication from the agency, the nonprofits are struggling to continue climate resilience work while seeking alternative funding.

  • A scenic view of a mountain range in the Modern American West, with rugged, multicolored peaks, green pine forests on the lower slopes, and a bright blue sky scattered with white clouds overhead.

    Authors Explore a Modern American West

    March 24, 2025

    Discover A Watershed Moment: The American West in the Age of Limits, a new book exploring water scarcity, housing shortages, and community resilience in the evolving West.

  • A rocky landscape with scattered pine trees under a clear blue sky. Long shadows stretch across the terrain, showcasing the vast beauty of public lands, with distant hills visible on the horizon.

    Hurd Introduces Productive Public Lands Act

    March 20, 2025

    U.S. Rep. Jeff Hurd introduces the Productive Public Lands Act, targeting Biden-era land management plans in Colorado. Local officials warn the legislation threatens wildlife protections and decades of collaboration.

  • Several firefighters tackle a brush fire near a fence and small building in Norwood, as smoke rises into the partly cloudy sky. Fire equipment and a hose are visible on the dry grass, highlighting community preparedness in action.

    Brush Fire in Norwood Highlights Community Preparedness

    March 18, 2025

    A controlled burn near Norwood, Colo., spread to nearly two acres on March 11, fueled by high winds. Fire Chief John Bockrath warns of increasing wildfire risks due to low moisture and advises caution with controlled burns.

  • Poster for West End play 10 Ways to Survive the Zombie Apocalypse featuring green zombie hands reaching in. Show dates: March 13-15. Ticket prices and more info at the bottom. Purple background sets the eerie scene.

    Zombie Apocalypse Visits The West End

    March 18, 2025

    Discover how N3's Theater's latest production, '10 Ways to Survive the Zombie Apocalypse,' brings humor and creativity to the West End community. Featuring local students and led by Brock Benson, this thrilling comedy explores unique survival tactics against zombies while showcasing the transformative power of theater.

  • Sign reading Uncompahgre National Forest beside a road, surrounded by vibrant autumn foliage. Evergreen trees and mountainous landscape are visible in the background under a clear blue sky.

    Local Forests Hit With Federal Layoffs

    March 12, 2025

    Forest Service Layoffs Leave Workers Reeling, Public Lands at Risk For Lanie Smith, there is nothing she would rather do than work on public lands. [...]