Tag: Western Colorado
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Controversial recreation development, management proposed for Sweetwater Lake in western Colorado
It’s not being called a state park, as it was declared in 2021 upon formerly private land becoming public in western Colorado. But recreation development and management for Sweetwater Lake could be similar to a state park under proposals recently released by the U.S. Forest Service. While detailing three other options, the agency is recommending…
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Fast-moving ‘burnover’ killed 14 firefighters in South Canyon blaze in 1994
The deadly wildland blaze that killed three firefighters and injured two others on Saturday served as a grim reminder that wildfires can change direction and speed with little or no warning, leaving crew members no time to reach an escape route and forcing them to deploy their fire shelters. It is not immediately clear if…
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National conservation area growing by 4,000-plus acres in western Colorado
A formerly private, sweeping swath of western Colorado is growing a public, red rock wonderland. Spanning 4,000-plus acres, Escalante Ranch has been transferred to the Bureau of Land Management and incorporated into Dominguez-Escalante National Conservation Area, The Conservation Fund recently announced. The announcement described the land south of Grand Junction as “encompass(ing) some of Colorado’s…
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Ski trail returns to rim of famed canyon in western Colorado
The chance to ski atop one of Colorado’s most picturesque canyons only comes around every so often. Now might be the time. Finally, amid a record dry spell, grooming has started along South Rim Road at Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. The park’s website indicates tracks were laid around the turn of this…
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Another dinosaur found at Dinosaur National Monument outside Colorado
Back in September, as heavy machinery broke the asphalt of a parking lot at Dinosaur National Monument, ReBecca Hunt-Foster carefully watched. “We knew that there was the possibility of encountering fossils,” the paleontologist said. She and staff knew, as they were very aware of what was through the front door of the Quarry Exhibit Hall…
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Colorado appeals Trump’s rejection of federal disaster declarations for flooding, fires
Colorado has formally appealed the Trump administration’s decision to deny requests for federal disaster declarations tied to two wildfires and flooding last year. Gov. Jared Polis said the state asked the federal government to reconsider its denials for the Elk and Lee fires and the flooding that hammered Western Colorado. “We are submitting these appeals…
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Ouray faces economic hit thanks to Mother Nature
Peter O’Neil knew that the Ouray Ice Park would have a rough year after the first week of December. Following Thanksgiving weekend, a solid layer of farmed ice sheets formed along the sides of Uncompahgre Gorge. Days later, the southwest Colorado town hit 50 degrees — an uncommonly warm temperature for December. O’Neil, executive director…
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Wildfires update: 2 new blazes force evacuations in southwest Colorado
Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save As emergency crews continue to gain containment on a series of wildfires in western Colorado, two new blazes have forced evacuations in La Plata County in the southwest region of the state, according to fire officials. The Elkhorn fire, which is burning on county and…
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Western Colorado wildfires update: Access to Blue Mesa Reservoir resumes
Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save Officials on Monday announced that access to the west side of Blue Mesa Reservoir has resumed as crews continue to gain containment of the nearby South Rim fire at the Black Canyon of the Gunnison…
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Western Colorado wildfire update: Crews making headway on containment
Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save Several wildfires in western Colorado have scorched more than 30,000 acres as of Sunday, but firefighting crews are making progress with containment, incident officials said. Ignited by lightning strikes earlier this month, the Turner Gulch, Sowbelly, South Rim and Wright Draw blazes caused Gov. Jared…