Soil Amendments are Added as Peach Trees are Planted by Analissa Sarno. (Colorado Department of Agriculture)Peach Orchard Soil Health & Water Conservation Study

The Colorado Department of Agriculture leads a Soil Health program that helps farmers and ranchers adopt soil health practices that improve soil function, conserve water, and enhance long-term profitability. The department recently announced that two scientists at the Orchard Mesa Research Center will receive a grant as part of the program. Drs. David Sterle and Dr. Analissa Sarno received funding to evaluate how soil amendments influence peach orchard establishment, tree performance, soil health, and water use. A new research orchard to conduct this work will be established at the center.

The study will assess the effects of different treatments on soil health and nutrient cycling, tree growth and establishment, and plant stress. During the second year of the project, the team will host a field day to share preliminary findings and provide producers with an opportunity to observe the treatments firsthand.

A press release states that the overall goal of this study is to document the effects of these treatments in Western Colorado orchard systems and provide practical management recommendations for tree fruit growers.

Man dies near summit of Mount Sneffels

The Ouray Mountain Rescue Team is urging caution for outdoor recreationists after a 32-year-old trail runner’s body was found near the summit of Mount Sneffels last week. The man was reportedly an experienced outdoorsman, and had climbed Mount Sneffels several times, both alone and with others. Dergo Nergui, the incident commander for the Ouray Mountain Rescue Team, told the Colorado Sun that hikers should always inform someone not hiking with you of where you plan to park, your intended route, when you expect to be back, and what is a reasonable time to seek help if you haven’t returned. The San Juan Mountains contain rugged, steep terrain with spotty cellphone services, making preparation important. The Sun reports that hikers should remember the Three Ts: Trip Planning, Training, Taking the Essentials. Trip planning means checking the weather, downloading a map to your phone or bringing a paper map, and leaving your plan with a responsible person. Training means making sure you have the physical conditioning, knowledge, and skill for the activity. And taking the essentials means bringing more water than you think you’ll need, food, sun protection, daily medications, and other necessities that could help you in a bind.

Drought impacts fish health

The ongoing drought and low streamflows across the Rocky Mountain West are putting added stress on fish populations.

Low levels can lead to warmer water temperatures and lower oxygen levels. conditions that make it harder for fish to survive.

A conservation group is asking anglers to pay close attention to water temperatures before fishing.

Kirk Klancke president of the Colorado River Headwaters Chapter of Trout Unlimited, says anglers need to do their part to preserve the fisheries.

Bennet and Weiser struggle to carve their own paths on environmental policy

Colorado gubernatorial candidates Michael Bennet and Phil Weiser agree that climate change and meeting the state’s emissions reductions goals must be a priority.

Though, as with other policy topics, the two Democrats have struggled to differentiate their platforms on the campaign trail.

Rocky Mountain Community Radio’s Caroline Llanes has more on what they’ve chosen to emphasize.

Oil and gas companies settle with state agency after consultants falsified environmental data

Three oil and gas companies have entered into voluntary settlement agreements with the state agency that regulates that industry. The Colorado Energy & Carbon Management Commission announced that it finalized six legally binding settlement agreements with companies following a 21-month investigation into falsified environmental and remediation data submitted to the agency. According to a press release, the investigation began in late 2024 after operators disclosed concerns involving third-party environmental consultants and data submitted to ECMC for subsidiaries of three operators - Oxy USA, Inc, Chevron USA, Inc., and Civitas Resources, Inc. In November 2024, ECMC announced that two environmental consultants — Eagle Environmental Consulting, Inc. and Tasman Geosciences — hired by these oil and gas operators submitted falsified lab data reports between 2021 and 2024. During its ongoing investigation, the commission found that the data manipulation affected soil, groundwater, and inorganic and organic contaminant data for about 400 oil and gas locations in Larimer and Weld counties.

Under the agreements, the companies will pay a combined total of nearly $2 million in penalties and complete corrective actions that include additional site reviews, resubmission of corrected information, enhanced quality assurance procedures, and strengthened oversight of environmental contractors.

Air quality health advisory due to wildfire smoke

Yesterday morning, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment put out an air quality health advisory for 16 counties in the state. Due to wildfire smoke mostly coming from Utah and Nevada, the advisory applies to counties in the KVNF listening area: Delta, Gunnison, Montrose, San Miguel, and Ouray. The agency says that “If smoke is thick or becomes thick in your neighborhood you may want to remain indoors. This is especially true for those with heart disease, respiratory illnesses, the very young, and older adults. Consider limiting outdoor activity when moderate to heavy smoke is present. Consider relocating temporarily if smoke is present indoors and is making you ill. If visibility is less than 5 miles in smoke in your neighborhood, smoke has reached levels that are unhealthy.” You can learn more about air quality and wildfire smoke near you at airnow.gov/wildfires.

Members of Colorado clemency board criticize Polis' decision to free Tina Peters

The New York Times has reported that months before Gov. Jared Polis of Colorado freed the election denier Tina Peters from prison, his own clemency board voted unanimously — twice — to reject her bid for early release. The Times spoke with two of the board’s members, who sharply criticized Polis’ decision. Peters was convicted of tampering with voting machines under her control in a plot to show that the 2020 election had been rigged against Mr. Trump. The case that made her a martyr to the election-denial movement and a favorite of President Trump, who harangued Governor Polis to free her for months. The 11-person clemency advisory board, whose members are appointed by Polis, largely operates in secret. But Polis’ decision to overrule the board’s twice-made decision prompted two of the members, both Denver-based attorneys, to speak out. One of them said of the commutation, “It really was a punch in the gut," and, “It flies in the face of justice.” The two members also told the Times that the decision had undercut Colorado’s clemency system by freeing an inmate with powerful political allies while dozens of other deserving applicants remained incarcerated. Polis will step down as governor in January of next year, as the position is term-limited. His decision to commute Peters’ sentence is likely to influence his political legacy.

Voters will decide this fall whether to set aside a dedicated portion of the state budget to fund roads and bridges

The Colorado contractors association is running an initiative to change the state constitution to require Colorado to spend roughly 2% of the budget on roads and bridges. The money would come from existing sales taxes on fuel, vehicles and auto parts. Backers say Colorado has failed to adequately fund roads and diverted funds elsewhere. Opponents, including Democrats at the statehouse, say the initiative is a money grab from the contractors that will stifle funding for other key budget priorities such as education and healthcare. Democrats passed a bill that would neutralize the ballot measure’s impact for several years, should voters approve it. For the Colorado Capitol News Alliance, Bente Birkeland brings us the story.

The Blue Sage Art Center in Paonia is celebrating its 30th birthday.

For KVNF, Marty Durlin sat down with Blue Sage executive director Ali Lightfoot to talk about how the center has shaped art and expression in the North Fork Valley for three decades.

Colorado Ag Water Alliance host webinar guiding local ranchers on tough decisions that need to be made during this year’s drought

Fire contained in Mesa County; smoky conditions reported across the Western Slope

A wildfire between Delta and Grand Junction was reported yesterday, but has since been contained. The Reeder Mesa Fire prompted an evacuation order for the area of Blue Sage Dr. and Lands End Rd by the Mesa County Sheriff's Office. The fire spread to 10 acres, but the fire was fully contained by 3:30pm yesterday. All evacuation orders have been lifted, and residents who evacuated may now safely return to their homes, per Grand Junction Fire Department at 3:58pm. Smoky conditions have been reported across parts of the KVNF listening area. The smoke is partially due to the Reeder Mesa Fire and a fire in Rifle, but has largely come from fires in Utah and Nevada. The Colorado Department of Public Health and the Environment told the Summit Daily that it does not expect to issue any smoke-related health advisories this week.

MCSD reaches Master Contract Agreement, pay increases

The Montrose County School Board has approved a Master Contract Agreement that increases the compensation for school district employees. The 2026-27 Master Contract Agreement finalized a package that includes more than $3.3 million in salary and benefit investments, representing a 5.7% increase in total compensation. A press release states that “The agreement continues a multi-year trend of investment in MCSD employees and includes a compensation package that exceeds the current rate of inflation. District leaders say the investment reflects an ongoing effort to remain competitive in attracting and retaining high-quality teachers and staff. The agreement includes a 3.0% cost-of-living adjustment to each salary schedule, increased starting wages for classified and licensed staff, step movement and education advancement for eligible employees, enhancements to extracurricular compensation and an additional $500,000 district investment in employee health care benefits.”

Paonia Literacy Project hosts legal expert Jeffrey Rosen in celebration of America 250

The 250th anniversary of American independence is quickly approaching. In celebration of the event, the Paonia Literary Project will welcome national legal expert Jeffrey Rosen to explore the fundamental values like Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness that shaped the U.S. Constitution. Rosen is an American legal scholar, journalist, and author, as well as a law professor at The George Washington University. A press release for the events states that, “together, we will delve into the core principles of the American Idea – liberty, equality, government by consent, and the pursuit of happiness – even as we have disagreed about how to balance those principles throughout American history.” The event will be held on Wednesday, July 1st, at 5:30pm at the Paonia Library Amphitheater.

Eastern Colorado farmers struggle with poor wheat crop

Across the Western Slope, farmers have struggled with this year’s early blooms and late freezes. Eastern Colorado farmers are, unfortunately, facing similar issues. The Colorado Sun reports that these farmers are bracing for worst wheat harvest since 1965. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Colorado is forecast to produce over 50% less than the state’s 10-year average. This drop is the result of severe drought and ill-timed periods of freezing temperatures across a wide swath of America’s wheat belt. The Sun reports that some farmers are weighing abandoning their failing wheat, and collecting crop insurance. Some farmers may not even have a choice between the two options. Wheat prices are influenced by the global market, and other wheat-producing countries including Australia and Argentina are reportedly have “record years.” As a result, Colorado farmers are unlikely to see any changes in the marketplace, meaning prices will probably stay roughly the same, and they will not be able to recoup losses.

Trump administration is making it easier and cheaper for fossil fuels companies to lease public lands to drill for oil and gas, claiming current rules pose undue burdens on the industry

The Bureau of Land Management is trying to make it cheaper and easier for fossil fuels companies to lease public land for oil and gas production.

Those operators pay a bond in order to ensure they clean and remediate a parcel once the well is done producing. Now, the administration wants to reduce those fees by hundreds of thousands of dollars.

It also wants to reduce a 90-day public comment period to just 10 days, and eliminate a process to screen for conflicts on parcels up for lease, like wildlife habitat and cultural sites.

Gregg DeBie is a Senior Staff Attorney at The Wilderness Society. He says this is an attempt to let industry control the nation’s shared public lands.

For Rocky Mountain Community Radio, Caroline Llanes brings us the story.

From Seed to Song in the KVNF Community Room

Tonight in Paonia in the KVNF Community Room, a new kind of artistic experience is taking place. One book about the kinship of trees becomes a monologue and a song — there will be three artists, three art forms, all in conversation around a single idea. KVNF's Brody Wilson has the story.

Johnston Ranch Conservation Easement

In conservation news, a 266-acre ranch along the Dolores River in Paradox Valley is now permanently protected through a conservation easement with Colorado West Land Trust. The Trust stated in a press release that the “The Johnston Ranch conservation easement preserves important wildlife habitat, agricultural land, and more than half a mile of river frontage while expanding a growing network of protected private lands near Bedrock. By connecting to a neighboring 114-acre conservation easement completed in 2025, over a mile of the Dolores River frontage is now conserved. The project strengthens landscape-scale conservation efforts in Paradox Valley and helps safeguard the Dolores River corridor, a vital resource for the region’s wildlife, agriculture, and recreation.” Julia Currier from the Colorado Land Trust said that the project “highlights both the unique character of the Dolores River corridor and the growing importance of conserving connected landscapes as development pressures increase across western Colorado.”

Road sealing project to begin in Montrose

Some important information for drivers in Montrose– city contractors will begin sealing roadways across the city today. The seals help prevent roadways from deteriorating, extending the life of the asphalt and preventing more costly repairs in the future. The project will last approximately three weeks, pending any delays. Certain residential roads will be closed to all traffic for short periods of time, and other roads will be narrowed to one-way traffic. You can find more information about road closures here.

Montrose Commissioners approve spending on Kinikin Road testing to work towards solution

Kinikin Road in Montrose County has been closed between Q72 and R71 roads since 2023, after significant damage was identified in 2023. The Montrose Daily Press reports that Montrose County Commissioners voted on Wednesday to approve geotechnical drilling and examination of waterflow to better understand what repairs are needed, and how much they’ll cost. Commissioner Sue Hanson stated “Obviously, this has been a pretty painful process for many of us, but we do agree with the engineering firm and with many of you that the water needs to be assessed before anything moves forward, and before we even have any kind of assessment of how much anything is going to cost. We have seen numbers from pretty reasonable to outlandish, and maybe realistic, actually. But nothing that gives us any kind of realistic budgeting targets.” The road is currently at risk of collapse due to water leaching through the ground, and surfacing at the bottom of the slope in that section of road. An 800-foot section is slowly breaking loose or eroding, and and portions of it have been lost. According to the Daily Press, the county has spent nearly $2 million on the road in the past 20 years. Recently, commissioners weighed vacating the road given the expensive options for repair ranging from a $5 million temporary fix to a $25 million permanent fix. The possibility of closing Kinikin Road was met with outcry from residents who live off of it, or who need it for safe, efficient highway and emergency access and an evacuation route. The approved geotechnical drilling and examination of waterflow should give the county a better sense of its options moving forward.

LGBTQ Coloradans and allies express concern about ballot measures
June is Pride Month and events celebrating the LGBTQ community have been taking place across the country and right here in Colorado.

The Pikes Peak Pride Festival took place in Colorado Springs on June 13 and 14.

Alexander Limas with One Colorado spoke to attendees about two measures that will appear on the ballot in November. They said, "One would ban trans students from participating in sports along their peers, and the other would interfere with medical decisions made by families, young people, and health care providers. These measures are rooted in fear and misinformation, and they are designed to divide our community."

A conversation with guitarist and composer Marisa Anderson

Marisa Anderson channels the history of the guitar and stretches the boundaries of tradition. Her playing is fluid, emotional, and masterful, featuring compositions and improvisations that re-imagine the landscape of American music.

Her latest project, The Anthology of UnAmerican Folk Music is a collection of nearly one thousand songs culled from the private record collection of the late Harry Smith. The Anthology focuses on music from places that the United States has been in conflict with since 1970. In Volume 1 which was released in May, Anderson presents her own deeply personal iterations of nine songs from the Anthology.

KVNF’s James Barrs spoke to Marisa ahead of her upcoming concert at the Bross Hotel in Paonia on Tuesday, July 23rd at 7pm.

Aircraft dropping fire retardant on the Lawhead fire.(Hotchkiss Fire District - Facebook Page)

Lawhead Fire
Crews have fully contained the Lawhead Fire on Redlands Mesa, northwest of Hotchkiss. Hotchkiss Fire says the fire is 100 percent contained after burning about 35 acres. It broke out Thursday afternoon, June 18, near the intersection of North Road and Rimrock Road, and spread quickly. Flames were too intense at first for crews to fight on the ground, and some residents were told to leave. Helicopters and air tankers were called in while firefighters worked to protect nearby homes. No structures were lost. Two firefighters suffered minor injuries on the fire line but were treated and returned to work. Everyone who had to evacuate has since returned home. Officials say smoke and ash may still rise from inside the fire area for days. They say that's normal, but anyone who sees flames or smoke outside the fire's edge should call 911.

Citizens Climate Lobby pushes for datcenter moratorium
In other news, an environmental group is urging western Colorado counties to get ahead of a possible data center boom. The Citizens Climate Lobby, based in Montrose, wants Montrose and Delta counties to slow down before large projects arrive. The concern followed a recent open board meeting of the local power company, Delta-Montrose Electric Association, or DMEA. Group member Tony Hoag told both county commissions that DMEA's CEO reported a 50-megawatt inquiry — a load that, in most cases today, would mean a data center. For perspective, DMEA's peak load is around 100 megawatts. CEO Jack Johnston did not say who was behind the inquiry, and KVNF was not able to independently verify the claims. Hoag is asking each county to adopt a moratorium on new data centers, citing concerns about electricity, water, and cost. So far, neither county has acted.

100% renewable energy - a tall order
Also in energy news, Holy Cross Energy — which serves the Roaring Fork Valley, including Aspen and Carbondale — sourced enough renewable energy in March to match its members' electricity use. It wasn't a fully renewable month, since renewables aren't always available at peak demand. The utility aims to run on 100 percent renewable power consistently by 2030. CEO Brian Hennigan says the key isn't more solar, but battery storage to deliver power when the sun isn't shining.

Personal story from the Lawhead Fire
In the second half of Monday's newscast, the owner of the property where the Lawhead Fire began shares her firsthand account of the fire and her escape with her daughter. The official cause remains under investigation by the Delta County Sheriff's Office.

KVNF FARM FRIDAY(Lisa Young / KVNF)

The Shepherd's Hand
The Shepherd's Hand — the only Montrose group dedicated to serving unhoused residents — is about two months from closing, after running nearly out of money and without a grant writer to keep it going. Jennifer Jones told the city council Tuesday that if it closes, the burden shifts to law enforcement and the broader community.

Juneteenth
Today is Juneteenth, marking the end of slavery in the United States. On June 19th, 1865, Union soldiers reached Galveston, Texas with word that enslaved people were finally free — more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation.

Charter commission in Montrose?
The Montrose City Council had a tense debate this week over whether to form a citizens charter commission to study changes to the city's century-old charter. With one seat vacant, the council tabled the vote to July 7th, when the full council can take part.

Primary ballots
A reminder for voters: primary ballots are expected in mailboxes around June 22nd and can be returned to a drop box through June 30th. KVNF has coverage of the primary candidates at kvnf.org/vote.

Breeze Airways
Breeze Airways will end both of its weekly nonstop flights between Grand Junction and Orange County after August 17th, citing capacity limits at the John Wayne Airport. Travelers will still have a one-stop option through Las Vegas three days a week.

MCSD superintendent
Montrose County School District Superintendent Dr. Carrie Stevenson remains on administrative leave after a June 2nd special board meeting, and the independent investigation into the matter is drawing public scrutiny. At the most recent board meeting, community members — including Linda Gann — questioned how the investigator was chosen and whether the board went beyond what its original motion authorized.

Slow Money Western Slope
On the Western Slope, small farms often run on more than money. A neighbor loans a truck. A rancher leases grazing land for cheap. That kind of generosity rarely shows up in a ledger, but it keeps a lot of producers going.

Now a local effort wants to extend that spirit to the wider agricultural community. Slow Money Western Slope is a new fund built on a simple idea: people donate, farmers borrow interest-free, and as loans are repaid, the money cycles back out to the next producer.

The project grew out of Slow Food Western Slope, a local nonprofit, and draws on the national slow money movement.

For Emma Kottenstette, the fund is personal. She owns and operates Farm Runners, a local food distribution service and grocery in Hotchkiss. Before she built that business, her community helped build her — including a reduced rate on her building. Now she wants to pass that help along via Slow Money Western Slope.

"My heart is so in this community and I care so deeply about the farmers and the food," Kottenstette said.

The need is real. Many small producers can't get a conventional line of credit at a rate they can manage, or pay it back before interest piles up. A Slow Money loan might cover payroll early in the season, before farmers market income arrives — or fund a bigger project like a greenhouse or a tractor.

Loans go out four times a year, and farmers propose their own repayment terms based on their cash flow. Applications are open to farmers and ranchers anywhere on the Western Slope.

So far, organizers have raised $30,000, with a goal of $50,000 by July. The first loans go out this summer.

Kottenstette's pitch to anyone with a little extra to give is straightforward.

"There is absolutely no reason that we shouldn't be putting our money where our mouth is," she said.

Producers can apply for a loan, and donors can make a tax-deductible gift here.

Telluride Bluegrass Festival will be livestreamed via nugs platform

The 53rd annual Telluride Bluegrass Festival is this weekend. Founded in 1974 and occurring annually during the summer solstice, Telluride Bluegrass has been inviting music fans to the historic mining town in the San Juan Mountains of southwestern Colorado for 4 days of adventurous acoustic music in the stunning Telluride box canyon for 50 years. The festival brings attendees from far and wide, to see some of today’s top Bluegrass artists. If you aren’t able to attend in-person this weekend, there’s an alternate way to hear the music. The festival is partnering for the second year with nugs, a concert livestreaming service, so that fans near and far can experience this year’s festival via livestream, from their own home. You can learn more at nugs.net/telluride.

Montrose DART funding likely to be restored

KVNF reported last week that the Montrose Development and Revitalization Team, also known as DART, lost a vast majority of its funding due to a typo in the city budget. The Montrose Daily Press reports that the City seems likely to restore the funding. At a workshop on Monday, Mayor Michael Badagliacco said that restoring the funding is really just a “housekeeping issue.” Councilmember J. David Reed said, “It was an obvious error,” and, “To me, it’s kind of a no brainer.” Multiple residents and local business owners spoke up in support of DART during the workshop, noting how much the team has helped them and requesting the funds be restored. Council members opted to revisit the item at the July 7 regular city council meeting, where they will consider an action item to amend and re-allocate the intended funds

Americans provided feedback critical of the Trump administration when asked to report National Parks signage

Last summer, signs posted around national parks, monuments and historic sites asked visitors to use feedback forms to report any exhibits that are, quote, "negative about either past or present Americans or that fail to emphasize the beauty, grandeur, and abundance of landscapes and other natural features."

This includes signs placed at the Sand Creek Massacre site and at the Amache site in southwest Colorado where Japanese Americans were incarcerated during World War II.

An analysis by the Center for Western Priorities shows that the vast majority of comments expressed opposition to the order. Their analysis showed that less than one percent of the more than 35,000 comments submitted actually used the comment form as intended, with comments submitted that criticized the Trump administration generally, as well as a number of jokes and off-topic responses.

In May, a lawsuit forced the feds to release the more than 35,000 comments the public sent in the forms.

For Rocky Mountain Community Radio, KHOL's Sophia Boyd Fliegel spoke with reporter Jenna McMurtry who analyzed the more than 500 comments that were submitted between Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks in Wyoming.

Delta County reminds residents of important wildfire terms

As wildfire risk increases, it is important to understand the difference between a Fire Weather Watch, Fire Threat, Red Flag Warning, and Fire Restrictions. Delta County sent out a helpful explainer for the terms:

Fire Weather Watch is a term used by fire weather forecasters to notify using agencies, usually 24 to 72 hours ahead of the event, that current and developing meteorological conditions may evolve into dangerous fire weather.

At fire threat means conditions are creating an increased risk for wildfire. This can include dry vegetation, high temperatures, low humidity, wind, drought conditions, and available firefighting resources.

A Red Flag Warning is issued by the National Weather Service when critical fire weather conditions are happening or expected soon. During a Red Flag Warning, fires can start easily and spread quickly.

Fire restrictions are official rules put in place by the Delta County Sheriff’s Office to help reduce the risk of human-caused wildfires. There are two different stages:

Stage 1 Fire Restrictions generally limit higher-risk fire activities. In Delta County, Stage 1 prohibits open burning/agricultural burning, burning trash or debris, bonfires or campfires on open ground or in rock rings, fireworks, exploding targets, tracer ammunition, and smoking near combustible materials.

Stage 2 Fire Restrictions are more restrictive and are used when fire danger increases. Stage 2 generally prohibits campfires or bonfires, open/agricultural burning, burn barrels, portable chimineas, charcoal BBQs, wood fire pits, tiki torches, fireworks, exploding targets, tracer ammunition, and other activities that increase fire risk.

Hikers rescued from Telluride Via Ferrata

At approximately 9:55 p.m. Saturday (June 13), San Miguel County Search and Rescue (SAR) responded to a report of two lost hikers who became “cliffed out” while descending the technical Via Ferrata route in Telluride.

When hikers become cliffed out, they have encountered cliffs or steep rock walls that prevent further progress, forcing them to stop, backtrack or find another route.

Attempts by responders to guide the two young women down remotely were unsuccessful, and a team of rescuers was deployed to assist them. Rescuers made contact with the hikers, set up a short rappel and descended back to the trail. The two were safely guided down and provided transportation to their vehicle.

Half a dozen SAR personnel participated in the overnight mission, which lasted more than four hours. There were no reported injuries.

The women, one from Idaho and the other from Utah, are both in their early 20s and traveling together. They told deputies they began the traverse around 6:30 p.m. and had never attempted the Via Ferrata before. The two were ill-equipped, carrying only sparse clothing and no food or water.

The Via Ferrata is located at the east end of Telluride’s box canyon. It is classified as moderately difficult, with significant cliff exposure and narrow ledges hundreds of feet above the valley floor. Iron rungs, cables and handholds are bolted into the rock face. Hiring a guide is recommended for inexperienced climbers.

The San Miguel County Sheriff reminds residents and visitors that safe travel while recreating in the mountains requires preparation. For routes this challenging, a significantly higher level of preparedness, equipment and skill is required than for many other outdoor pursuits.

San Miguel County Undersheriff Nick Xavier said, “These two hikers could have spent the night stranded on the cliffs, cold, frightened and at risk of injury or worse had it not been for our dedicated and highly skilled SAR team, People need to exercise better judgment and be appropriately experienced and prepared before attempting terrain this technical.”

Staged reading of "Famous" at the Blue Sage Center

KVNF's James Barr sat down for a conversation with actress Sandra Bauleo & director Thomas Caruso, who will be presenting a staged reading of “Famous” this week at the Blue Sage Center for the Arts in Paonia on Saturday the 20th at 3pm. As part of the project, Bauleo and Caruso will spend a week in residence in the North Fork Valley, developing the piece.

A native New York actor, Bauleo is known for her work in the award-winning independent film Cicada, NBC’s 30 Rock, and Adult Swim’s Teenage Euthanasia.

Caruso is an acclaimed director. His work spans Broadway, Off-Broadway, the West End, and national tours.

The energy-rich Roan Plateau looms over traffic moving along Interstate 70 near De Beque, Colorado, on Jan. 12, 2022(William Woody / The Colorado Sun )Bee Hive and Paradox Trail fires fully contained

As of 4pm yesterday, both the Bee Hive fire in western Montrose county and the Paradox Trail fire were 100% contained. The Bee Hive fire reached a total of roughly 336 acres, and the Paradox Trail reached about 53.

Ouray police officer sues city

According to reporting in the Ouray County Plaindealer, A legal dispute is escalating between the City of Ouray and the town’s only sworn police officer. Police Sergeant Matt Troxell has filed a lawsuit against the city, accusing officials of broken promises, retaliation and defamation. The suit was filed in district court on May 27 and seeks a jury trial and unspecified monetary damages.

Troxell has accused city leaders of recruiting him from a federal career with the CIA by making promises about training and job conditions that were never fulfilled. He also claims he was placed on administrative duty and stripped of responsibilities after raising concerns about missing personnel records and a lack of training within the police department.

An independent investigator later found the city failed to comply with its own recordkeeping policies and recommended improvements to the department’s training program.

The dispute also involves a complaint against City Councilor Peggy Lindsey Scott. A police department employee reported that the councilor confronted her the day after Troxell publicly criticized city leadership. City Administrator Michelle Metteer concluded the councilor’s comments appeared unprofessional but did not constitute harassment.

Meanwhile, Ouray’s police department remains effectively shut down. Law enforcement services continue to be handled by the Ouray County Sheriff’s Office, while the city continues paying for leased patrol vehicles that currently sit unused.

City officials have declined to comment on the lawsuit itself. The city council recently decided to continue contracting with the sheriff’s office rather than rebuild an independent police department, citing cost concerns.

Parcels of land on the Roan Plateau have been proposed for oil and gas lease sales, undoing protections for iconic western Colorado mesa.

According to the Colorado Sun, The U.S. Bureau of Land Management has proposed leasing more than 126,000 acres across western Colorado for oil and gas development, including six parcels covering about 5,000 acres on the Roan Plateau. The agency has opened a 30-day public comment period ahead of a lease sale planned for December.

The Roan Plateau, which rises more than 3,000 feet above the Colorado River Valley in Garfield County, is known for its wildlife habitat, including large populations of mule deer, elk and black bears. Its streams also support native Colorado River cutthroat trout.

A court ruling in 2012 found the federal government had not followed proper procedures when issuing the original leasing plan. A later settlement canceled most of the leases on top of the plateau and reimbursed the energy company that held them.

Conservation groups are criticizing the latest proposal, arguing it threatens one of western Colorado’s most valued landscapes. The BLM says the lease sale is part of an expanded schedule of quarterly oil and gas lease offerings required under federal legislation passed earlier this year.

Colorado election system secure, but unfounded doubts persist

Colorado's primary election is just weeks away, and election officials say the state's mail voting system remains one of the most secure and widely used in the country. As Kyle McKinnon reports for the Colorado Capitol News Alliance, confidence in the system is high even as questions about election security persist.

Watch Duty app provides residents with timely updates on wildfires

There are currently multiple wildfires burning across our region, including the Bee Hive fire in western Montrose County and the Paradox Trail fire in southern Mesa County.

As fire activity grows, so does the need for timely, reliable information.

During evacuations, road closures and rapidly changing conditions, many residents are turning to a smartphone app called Watch Duty for real-time updates.

For Rocky Mountain Community Radio, KDNK's Amy Hadden Marsh reported on how the app has become an increasingly important tool for people tracking wildfires in the West.

Trustee Walter Czech and Mayor Paige Smith at the June 9 Paonia Board of Trustees meeting(Marty Durlin / KVNF )Fatal shooting in Montrose

The Montrose County Sheriff's Office is investigating a fatal shooting that occurred last Thursday, June 11.

According to a post by the Sheriff’s office, deputies were dispatched at approximately 2pm to the 64,000 block of Kayla Trail following a report of a shooting.

Investigators have confirmed that one individual is deceased as a result of the incident.

The investigation remains in its early stages. No additional information is available for release at this time.

The Montrose County Sheriff's Office said that it will provide updates as more information becomes available and can be released without compromising the investigation.

Garage fire destroys Olathe-based charity donations

In other local news, a fire destroyed items an Olathe-based ministry collects for those in need– for the second time in five years. The Montrose Daily Press reports that the garage of Bobbie Guerra, founder of the organization Angels for the Needy, caught fire last week. The fire happened when her husband Hank is out of work due to a spinal problem, and that she not only needs to restock the destroyed charity goods, but may also have to pay for the portable storage trailer she was renting. The Angels for the Needy trailer was burned and melted along the side panel and everything in it — items such as sleeping bags, tents, hygiene items, storage containers for her food ministry — is a loss due to either burning or smoke damage. Angels for the Needy also faced a storage unit fire in 2020, but managed to rebuild and continue serving the community. Guera told the Montrose Daily Press that she is undeterred, even after this second fire.

Paonia Food Movement stocks free community fridge

In other community-serving news, the Paonia Food Movement posted that the free fridge on the corner of Third and Grand in Paonia is stocked full of French white bread from Mountain Oven, fresh greens from Figure 8 Farming, and cherry tomatoes and eggs from The Living Farm. The group says that if you find yourself in a place of food insecurity, please help yourself. Brought to you by the Paonia Food Movement, and our generous donors in the Roaring Fork Valley.

Libraries near Maroon Bells Scenic Area will provide free daily shuttle passes

According to a press release from the Forest Service, an innovative new program will help people access the Maroon Bells Scenic Area who might not otherwise due to cost or other obstacles.

Roaring Fork Transportation Authority, White River National Forest, and the Basalt Regional, Glenwood Springs Branch and the Pitkin County libraries are teaming up to provide daily shuttle passes from Aspen Highlands to the Maroon Bells Scenic Area. Each library will have one pass available for check out each day, valid for up to four people. The pass includes the Scenic Area daily use fee and parking at Aspen Highlands.

“We want to ensure that we are reducing any economic barriers that are keeping Valley residents or visitors from reaching one of the most iconic areas in Colorado,” said White River National Forest Supervisor Brian Glaspell.

Passes are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Each library has seven passes total, with one pass designated for each day of the week. A single day pass can be checked out for seven days total from the Basalt and Glenwood Springs libraries, and for three days from the Pitkin County Library, which allows flexibility for checking out and returning the pass.

New Hotchkiss water restrictions

In drought news, the Hotchkiss Board of Trustees passed new water billing rates and watering restrictions on May 28. The changes went into effect immediately and will remain until Nov. 1 unless the board rescinds them with another resolution. No outside watering from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. The restrictions include:

• No new grass.
• New landscape work permitted only for xeriscaping, drip irrigation and for planting drought tolerant trees and shrubs.
• Odd number addresses water on Monday and Thursday only.
• Even number addresses water on Tuesday and Friday only.
• No curbside washing of vehicles.
• No new hot tubs, pools or fountains.
• Watering restrictions do not apply to irrigation water or wells.

Older adults are increasingly turning to cannabis to self-medicate

Researchers surveyed about 170 people 60 or over about why they wanted to purchase edible cannabis products. These adults were in Colorado where recreational marijuana is legal. And they weren’t trying to get high – but to manage pain, sleep or mental health concerns. As the Mountain West News Bureau's Rachel Cohen reports, these researchers in our region are trying to understand this cohort's motivations to help them navigate complex medical decisions.

Paonia Board of Trustees drama, explained

The past two months have been a difficult time for the Paonia Board of Trustees and staff as they endure a storm of negative feedback from the public, along with a spate of resignations. Last month, people crowded into board meetings to demand that trustees take down a Verkada camera surveillance system, complaining that it destroyed the small-town atmosphere of trust. The board shut off the last camera this week and will take a $53,000 loss on the purchase. Cheaper cameras will be used for essential security locations, but the camera backlash sparked a wave of disapproval and condemnation that resulted in Administrator Wynn's resignation. Marty Durlin brings us the story.