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News

Session marked by bipartisan accomplishments

As we hit the 120th day of the 2022 session, I reflect on our accomplishments. After several nights working past midnight, then coming back to work ea...

May 19, 2022

Opinion

Bills aimed at helping our tribal neighbors

The Southern Utes and Ute Mountain Utes are the only two federally recognized tribes in Colorado. Tribal members have been working with us in the Gene...

March 23, 2022

Millions in investments show state hasn’t forgotten importance of agriculture

Traditionally, the Colorado Department of Agriculture doesn’t ask for much. When department heads annually visit the Joint Budget Committee, outlining...

February 10, 2022

Initial bills focus on saving money, cutting crime

This session of the legislature started out with friendly greetings, rousing speeches, mostly-masked gatherings, and what reporters are calling a “las...

January 27, 2022

Opinion

Legislation aimed at advancing state’s vital agricultural industry

My grandfather was a mover and shaker in the Colorado sugar beet industry with Great Western Sugar, and he was also a professor of agriculture at Colo...

April 28, 2021

It’s time to stop giving civics short shrift in the classroom

If you watch enough national news, it’s easy to think that Democrats and Republicans rarely speak, always argue, refuse to compromise, and have nothin...

April 14, 2021

OHV, teacher licensure among frenzy of bills

We’re seeing a lot of action in the Capitol these days, as legislators present their final bills while we collectively prepare to work on the Long Bil...

April 1, 2021

A lot is riding on school testing decision

My last few weeks have been filled with Zooms, phone calls and research concerning a legislative game combining “Mother May I” with the High Hurdles. ...

March 4, 2021

Itâs time we listen to the unheard

My column this week was going to review the work we were doing at the Capitol as we rejoined with other Legislators after so many weeks of working at ...

June 4, 2020

Looming state budget cuts will nick everyone

Colorado’s general fund is taking a pounding during the pandemic. Unless Washington steps in with more aid to state and local governments, legislators...

May 14, 2020

Main

Factors behind the fire: What drove its spread?

Experts: Age-old forests, climate change, extreme drought created prime conditions for Gold Mountain Fire

By Chart Riggall

August 26, 2026

In the summer of 1879, the largest wildfire in Colorado history at the time tore through 26,000 acres of rugged forest about eight miles south of Silverton and presaged a vast shift in its landscape. ...

News

Tax districts approved for proposed project

Metro districts would fund improvements for possible 19-acre mixed-use Ridgway development

By James Hanlon

August 26, 2026

The Ridgway Town Council approved creating four metropolitan districts at its Aug. 12 meeting for a proposed residential and commercial development on 19 acres in north Ridgway. The development, Alpen...

News

Officials push Trump for disaster declaration

Polis: Federal funding needed to help pay for $17M in damages from Gold Mountain, Aspen Acres fires

By Chart Riggall

August 26, 2026

Federal, state and local officials pushed this week for President Donald Trump to issue a disaster declaration for the Gold Mountain and Aspen Acres fires that would open the door to additional federa...

Feature

New principal brings international experience

Michael Flaim named interim leader of Ouray preK-8 students

By James Hanlon

August 26, 2026

Michael Flaim, an educator who taught economics and social studies at international schools for nearly 20 years, has started as Ouray School’s interim preK-8 principal for the 2026-2027 school year. T...

News

Construction to control flooding begins

Work focuses on removing debris, building berms, barriers; project set to finish by Sept. 20

By James Hanlon

August 26, 2026

Crews from Haynes Excavation began work last week to repair and protect areas prone to flooding and debris flows beneath the Gold Mountain Fire burn scar. The $2.8 million Emergency Watershed Protect ...

Barbara Mclachlan

Remote-triggered avalanche in San Juan Mountains

First responders receive first COVID-19 vaccines