Bonfire Coffee founder keeps ‘digging deeper’ into the craft
Bonfire Coffee founder Charlie Chacos still thinks of himself as an accidental coffee roaster. Chacos’ path into coffee began as part of a family business. After taking over the Village Smithy in Carbondale, the restaurant...
New Carbondale Aquatics Center set to open Saturday
The new Carbondale Aquatics Center is set to open to the public Saturday, marking the return of a public pool after two seasons without one. The $13.4 million facility was funded through more than $9...
PHOTOS: Rifle Rendezvous celebrates 30 years
Rifle Rendezvous returned to the Garfield County Fairgrounds from May 14-17 for the 30th year of springtime fun. Fueled by carnival food, guests shopped from local vendors, attended the annual car show, danced to live...
New Castle’s Highland Cemetery receives historic designation
Highland Cemetery in New Castle has become a historically designated site, a designation Michelle Huster, assistant to the town clerk, said seemed like a no-brainer. “It passed in November when it was presented to the Town...
Coal Ridge boys claim first state track title, girls finish fifth
One year after the Coal Ridge girls track and field team came heartbreakingly close to a Class 3A state title, the Titans boys team made sure the program’s next trip to Jeffco Stadium ended with...
Wildfire risk is rising on Colorado’s Western Slope as strong El Nino is expected to bring monsoon rain in ‘spurts’
The wildfire risk on Colorado’s Western Slope is rising and expected to remain elevated throughout most of the summer after a winter with a record-low snowpack and well-above average temperatures. AccuWeather Senior Forecaster Chad Merrill...
From home insurance to vacancy taxes: Bills that passed — and failed — this legislative session that western Colorado should know about
Over 600 bills were introduced this year over the course of Colorado’s 120-day legislative session, which ended on Wednesday, May 13. Here’s a look at some of the measures that passed — and died —...
Over 7,500 animals were killed in 2025 on Colorado highways: Here’s a glimpse at what wildlife is being hit and where
At least 7,770 animals were killed last year on Colorado’s roads, the vast majority occurring on the Western Slope. This is according to 2025 roadkill data from the Colorado Department of Transportation. The agency relies...
Colorado schools roll out stricter cellphone bans ahead of state deadline
From locked pouches to bell-to-bell bans, Colorado schools are cracking down on cellphone use in the classroom as districts prepare to comply with a new state law by July 1. House Bill 1135, also known...
El Jebel’s Hominy Kitchen closes for good
El Jebel's Hominy Kitchen saw its last day Sunday, May 17, before the restaurant is set to close permanently.
Tuesday letters: School funding criticism, arts council gratitude and sinfonia praise
Questions over proposed mill levy override I’m writing to protest the proposed mill levy override by the Roaring Fork School District. Recent statements by RFSD Superintendent Anna Cole states that “We have a limited window...
Colorado River stakeholders ask Congress for $2 billion in emergency funds to address drought crisis
A coalition of organizations, tribes, utilities and governments from across the Colorado River basin is asking the federal government for at least $2 billion to address the near-term impacts of the escalating drought and water...
Garfield Re-2 school board recognizes former SRO, hears from students on mini career fair
Garfield Re-2 school board kicked off their board meeting on Wednesday with appreciation for former School Resource Officer (SRO), Cpl. Josh Allison of the Rifle Police Department, before hearing from Rifle High School students about...
Friday letters: Leadership, Holy Cross election, electric vehicles and more
Colorado needs grounded leadership Colorado does not need another polished politician who memorized talking points in a conference room. Colorado needs its own Graham Platner — someone who understands what hard work actually feels like...