Western Slope Trellis (Page 2)

News

Colorado Civic Roundup: New July 1 Laws, I-25 Speed Cameras, and Holiday Fire Risk

Colorado’s new fiscal year brings July 1 laws on 3D-printed firearms, conversion therapy civil claims, and mobile home tax notices, while CDOT adds I-25 speed cameras and warns drivers about holiday traffic and wildfire risk.

By Western Slope Trellis Staff • 4 min read

News

Western Colorado Residents Warn BLM Oil and Gas Rule Could Shift Cleanup Costs to Taxpayers

Western Colorado residents and public lands advocates warn that a federal proposal to lower oil and gas bonding requirements could increase the risk of orphaned wells, taxpayer-funded cleanup, and reduced public input on leasing decisions.

By Western Slope Trellis Staff • 4 min read

News

How democratic socialist Melat Kiros stunned Colorado politics with congressional primary win

Melat Kiros’ primary win over longtime U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette marks a major shift in Denver politics, powered by young voters, grassroots organizing, democratic socialist networks, and frustration with establishment Democrats.

By Colorado Newsline • 15 min read

Montrose

Montrose Closes Buckhorn Lakes Due to Gold Mountain Fire Threat

The City of Montrose has closed Buckhorn Lakes because of wildfire danger from the Gold Mountain Fire in Ouray County. The city-owned park southeast of Montrose is under pre-evacuation notice, and residents are urged to follow official emergency updates.

By Western Slope Trellis Staff • 2 min read

Glenwood Springs

Glenwood Springs Announces Facility Closures for July, August, and Early October

Glenwood Springs residents should plan for several city facility closures, including July 4 holiday closures, a July 22 landfill and recycling closure, Community Center maintenance from August 23-30, and a downtown parking garage closure from August 3-October 3.

By Western Slope Trellis Staff • 2 min read

Grand Junction

Grand Junction Traffic Alert: Closures and Lane Restrictions Continue for Week of July 6

Grand Junction drivers should expect closures, detours, lane restrictions, and overnight work during the week of July 6, including impacts on Crosby Avenue, Four Canyons Parkway, D ½ Road, Riverside Parkway, Ute Avenue, Pitkin Avenue, and Highway 340.

By Western Slope Trellis Staff • 3 min read

News

States gird for new Medicaid ‘medically frail’ rule

States warn new Medicaid work requirement guidance could cause sick and disabled enrollees to lose coverage due to paperwork barriers.

By Colorado Newsline • 4 min read

Mesa County

Mesa County and Grand Junction Civic Week Ahead: Fire Rules, Housing, Redlands Traffic, and Holiday Closures

Mesa County and Grand Junction head into a shortened holiday week with fire restrictions, housing policy updates, Redlands traffic impacts, and camping ordinance enforcement among the key civic issues to watch.

By Western Slope Trellis Staff • 4 min read

Resources

Western Slope Wildfire Emergency Resource Guide

Find official wildfire resources for Mesa and Ouray counties, including emergency alerts, shelter locations, animal support, road closures, air quality links, and go-bag steps for residents preparing for changing fire conditions.

By Western Slope Trellis Staff • 2 min read

News

Mesa and Ouray County Fire Emergency: Evacuations, Closures, Shelters, and Resources

Multiple fires are active across Mesa and Ouray counties, with evacuation notices, highway closures, smoke advisories, and fire restrictions changing quickly. Here are official updates, shelters, hotlines, and preparation steps.

By Western Slope Trellis Staff • 6 min read

News

Colorado River experts say agriculture must make permanent cuts to water use

Colorado River experts say cities alone cannot conserve enough water to stabilize the basin, reviving debate over permanent agricultural water reductions, federal buyouts, and how to protect rural communities tied to farming and ranching.

By Aspen Journalism • 8 min read

Government

Western Slope Independence Day Closures: What’s Open and Closed Friday, July 3

Many Western Slope government offices will close Friday, July 3, for Independence Day. Emergency services remain active, while trash routes, landfills, animal services, and city facilities vary by county and municipality.

By Western Slope Trellis Staff • 2 min read

Grand Junction

Grand Junction Traffic Alert: Road Closures, Lane Restrictions, and Overnight Work for Week of June 29

Grand Junction drivers should expect closures, lane restrictions, detours, and overnight work during the week of June 29, including impacts on Crosby Avenue, Four Canyons Parkway, D ½ Road, Riverside Parkway, Ute Avenue, Pitkin Avenue, and Highway 340.

By Western Slope Trellis Staff • 3 min read

Events

The Crane Wives Bring Indie Folk-Rock to Mesa Theater on June 27

The Crane Wives bring their harmony-rich indie folk-rock sound to Mesa Theater in downtown Grand Junction on June 27. The Grand Rapids band is touring behind its growing national following and 2024 album, Beyond Beyond Beyond.

By Western Slope Trellis Staff • 1 min read

News

Backed by Threat of Clawbacks, Feds Wield Tight Grip on $50B Rural Health Fund

States are reworking plans for a new federal rural health fund after the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services rejected or revised some proposals, raising concerns about clawbacks, tight deadlines, and rural care access.

By Western Slope Trellis Staff • 5 min read

News

Why Coal Will Lead to More Deaths in Colorado

Colorado coal plant closures are being delayed in Craig, Pueblo, and Colorado Springs, raising concerns from residents, doctors, and advocates about air pollution, public health, climate goals, and utility costs.

By Western Slope Trellis Staff • 7 min read

Garfield County

Garfield County Escalates South Bridge Dispute With Glenwood Springs

Garfield County is suing Glenwood Springs over the South Bridge review process, asking a court to decide whether the project needs county 1041 approval before construction moves forward

By Western Slope Trellis Staff • 4 min read

Montrose

Montrose Approves $4.3M Sewer Expansion as City Moves to Restore Business Grant Funding

Montrose approved a $4.3 million sewer expansion to unlock growth in the city’s northeast corridor, while council moved to restore business grant funding affected by a budget error.

By Western Slope Trellis Staff • 4 min read

Grand Junction

Grand Junction and Mesa County Advance $8M Housing Package as Growth Pressures Build Near 29 Road

Grand Junction and Mesa County committed $8 million in bond capacity for the Salt Flats housing project, while neighbors raised concerns about rezoning, traffic, and growth near 29 Road.

By Western Slope Trellis Staff • 3 min read

Montrose

Montrose Road Sealing Project Starts June 23, With Closures and Parking Restrictions Expected

Montrose road crews will begin chip sealing and slurry sealing streets on June 23, with closures, one-lane traffic, parking restrictions, and early trash pickup expected during the three-week project.

By Western Slope Trellis Staff • 2 min read

News

Affordability tax credit likely not available for Colorado families in next two years

Colorado families may not receive the full Family Affordability Credit for the next two tax years after state economists projected revenue growth below the level needed to activate it. The credit helped reduce child poverty in 2025, but budget pressures remain.

By Colorado Newsline • 3 min read

Events

Glenwood Springs Ready to Celebrate 129th Annual Strawberry Days Festival This Weekend

Strawberry Days returns to Glenwood Springs June 19–21! The 129th annual festival brings free strawberries and ice cream, a massive food court featuring Slow Groovin BBQ and Hillbilly Grill, the Strawberry Shortcut races, and a massive Saturday night anniversary drone show to Two Rivers Park.

By Western Slope Trellis Staff • 3 min read

News

Juneteenth on the Western Slope: Deepening Roots and Celebrating Freedom

Explore the history of Juneteenth and its deep ties to Colorado's Western Slope, concluding with details on a local celebration happening June 20, 2026, in Grand Junction's Lincoln Park.

By Western Slope Trellis Staff • 2 min read

News

Favored in Colorado Senate primary, Hickenlooper declines to debate challenger Gonzales

As the June 30 primary approaches, incumbent U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper is facing sharp criticism for skipping at least seven scheduled debates and forums with progressive challenger Julie Gonzales, mirroring the "Cardboard Cory" evasion tactics of the 2020 election.

By Western Slope Trellis Staff • 5 min read