Western Slope Trellis (Page 2)

Montrose County Confirms Three Cases of West Nile Virus, Urges Community Precautions

With three confirmed human cases of West Nile virus in Montrose County this season, public health officials are urging residents to take simple precautions—like eliminating standing water and using insect repellent—to protect themselves during peak mosquito months.

By Western Slope Trellis Staff • 2 min read

As litigation looms and drought takes its toll, state officials defiant over Colorado River’s future

by Chase Woodruff, Colorado Newsline Routt County rancher Philip Rossi knew as early as January of this year — as the Flat Tops range above the Yampa River basin sat largely bare of snow — that 2026 would be a difficult water year. “You can just feel it,” said Rossi, whose family

By Colorado Newsline • 8 min read

Civic

Mesa County Takes the Spotlight During a Quiet Week for Local Government

While most regional government bodies across Mesa, Montrose, and Garfield counties are off-cycle this week, Mesa County commissioners are set to review over $19.1 million in FAA airport grants, a $549,900 property sale, and flood mitigation funding at their Tuesday, August 25 hearing.

By Western Slope Trellis Staff • 1 min read

Grand Junction

Grand Junction Traffic Alert: Road Closures and Construction for the Week of Aug. 24

Grand Junction drivers should expect road closures, lane reductions and overnight construction the week of Aug. 24, including work on 25 Road, D 1/2 Road, Ute and Pitkin avenues, Highway 340 and Industrial Boulevard.

By Western Slope Trellis Staff • 2 min read

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Western Slope Civic Wrap-up: Aug. 15–21

November ballot questions took center stage across the Western Slope this week, with Montrose advancing four charter amendments, Grand Junction referring an Orchard Mesa Pool tax measure, Garfield County sending a library mill levy to voters, and Mesa County reviewing license plate reader use.

By Western Slope Trellis Staff • 5 min read

Events

Peaches, Sweet Corn, and the Grateful Dead: This Weekend on the Western Slope

Peach Festival weekend takes over Palisade, the Grand Junction Symphony plays under the stars, Olathe celebrates sweet corn, and the Terrapin Roadshow lands in Glenwood Springs. Here’s what’s happening across the Western Slope Aug. 21–23.

By Western Slope Trellis Staff • 6 min read

Grand Junction

Grand Junction Voters Will Decide Orchard Mesa Pool Funding in November

Grand Junction voters will decide in November whether to raise the city sales and use tax to help fund the Orchard Mesa Pool. The measure would increase the rate from 3.39% to 3.46%, with a partial reduction after repayment.

By Western Slope Trellis Staff • 2 min read

Support

Mutual Aid Partners turns six. Here's what $500 can do.

Mutual Aid Partners has helped Grand Junction families stay housed, access food and connect with local services since 2020. As the nonprofit turns six, its newest housing program is showing how far a small amount of direct help can go.

By Western Slope Trellis Staff • 6 min read

Colorado

CPW Lifts Roaring Fork River Fishing Closure as Flows and Temperatures Improve

Colorado Parks and Wildlife will lift the voluntary fishing closure on the Roaring Fork River Aug. 20 after increased flows from Ruedi Reservoir helped cool water temperatures. Closures remain on the Colorado, Eagle and Crystal rivers.

By Western Slope Trellis Staff • 1 min read

Colorado

Parents are being held responsible for their kids’ crimes under new laws

New laws are holding some parents legally and financially responsible for crimes committed by their children, but researchers say there is little evidence these policies reduce youth crime.

By Colorado Newsline • 6 min read

Colorado

Western Slope Health Care Costs Put Colorado’s Universal Coverage Debate in Focus

A new Yale study projects that a national single-payer system could save $1 trillion a year. With local hospitals squeezed by Medicaid bureaucracy and residents skipping care over cost, here is how the debate lands in Mesa, Montrose, and Garfield counties.

By Western Slope Trellis Staff • 6 min read

Colorado

Heat-related illnesses spike in Colorado as climate change fuels record temperatures

Heat-related illnesses are surging across Colorado during a summer of record temperatures, with state data showing more than 1,100 heat-related medical visits as climate change drives more frequent and intense heat waves.

By Colorado Newsline • 5 min read

Colorado

Colorado issues public health order over tuberculosis case at Aurora ICE facility

Colorado health officials ordered GEO Group to provide records tied to a tuberculosis case at Aurora’s ICE detention facility after earlier requests and a county health order went unanswered.

By Colorado Newsline • 2 min read

Events

Bluegrass Royalty, a Rock Legend’s Farewell, and Palisade Peaches: The Ultimate Western Slope Weekend Guide

From Alison Krauss and Little Feat in Grand Junction to community fiestas, winery events, local film, art and adoption events, the Western Slope is packed with things to do Aug. 14–16.

By Western Slope Trellis Staff • 3 min read

Grand Junction

Grand Junction Traffic Alert: Road Closures and Construction for the Week of August 17

Grand Junction drivers should expect road closures, lane restrictions and overnight construction the week of Aug. 17, including work on 25 Road, D 1/2 Road, Highway 340, Ute and Pitkin avenues.

By Western Slope Trellis Staff • 3 min read

Glenwood Springs

Glenwood Springs Community Arts Center Reopens After Major Remodel with August 15 Open House

Glenwood Springs’ newly remodeled Community Arts Center will celebrate its reopening Aug. 15 with live art demonstrations, mini concerts, giveaways and 20% off class registrations.

By Western Slope Trellis Staff • 2 min read

Colorado

These Colorado ranchers want fossil fuel companies held accountable

A group of Colorado ranchers is urging the U.S. Supreme Court to let Boulder pursue its climate lawsuit against Exxon and Suncor, arguing fossil fuel companies should help pay for wildfire, drought, and other climate-related damages affecting rural communities.

By Western Slope Trellis Staff • 6 min read

Colorado

A Tax Cut for Most, a Lifeline for Schools: What Initiative 195 Means for the Western Slope

Colorado voters may decide whether to replace the state's flat income tax with a graduated system under Initiative 195. Here's how the proposed tax brackets work, who could pay more or less, and what the measure could mean for schools, health care, and Western Colorado.

By Western Slope Trellis Staff • 3 min read

Colorado

Glenwood Springs City Council votes to sue ICE facility’s landlord for allowing detentions to continue without a permit

The Glenwood Springs City Council voted 6-1 to sue the landlord of the city's ICE holding facility, arguing detention operations continue despite the revocation of its special use permit. The lawsuit seeks to enforce local zoning rules through state court.

By Aspen Journalism • 10 min read

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Western Slope Government Meetings Aug 10-16: Jail Funding, Justice Center Upgrades, and Key County Decisions

This week's Western Slope government meetings feature major funding decisions despite a lighter calendar. Garfield County considers nearly $600,000 for jail operations, while Mesa County weighs a $2.2 million Justice Center upgrade and reviews public health finances.

By Western Slope Trellis Staff • 3 min read

Colorado Parks and Wildlife Expands Voluntary Fishing Closures on Gunnison River Due to Low Flows and Warm Water

Colorado Parks and Wildlife has added a new voluntary fishing closure on an 11-mile stretch of the Gunnison River above Blue Mesa Reservoir. The daily noon-to-midnight restriction aims to protect trout as drought, low flows and warm water continue to stress fisheries.

By Western Slope Trellis Staff • 3 min read

Events

Things to Do in Grand Junction, Montrose & Rifle Aug. 7–9

Looking for events on the Colorado Western Slope this weekend? Top highlights for August 7–9, 2026, include the First Friday Art Walk in downtown Grand Junction, FUNC Fest water competitions in Montrose, and the demolition derby at the Garfield County Fair in Rifle.

By Western Slope Trellis Staff • 4 min read

Grand Junction

Grand Junction Traffic Alert: Major Road Closures and Construction Continue the Week of Aug. 10

Road construction continues across Grand Junction the week of Aug. 10, with closures on Crosby Avenue, 25 Road, D ½ Road, downtown lane reductions, Highway 340 overnight work and ongoing roundabout construction at 23 Road and Broadway.

By Western Slope Trellis Staff • 2 min read

Grand Junction

Grand Junction to Break Ground on 450-Home Salt Flats Mixed-Income Housing Development

Grand Junction will break ground Aug. 17 on the Salt Flats development, a 450-home mixed-income community that will provide affordable apartments and for-sale homes for working families, seniors, veterans and first-time homebuyers.

By Western Slope Trellis Staff • 2 min read