Conflict divides folks in local communities

Last Wednesday, April 24, Norwood’s sanitation district board met in a special meeting, with a resolution up for vote. That resolution read “no confidence” in the Norwood mayor. …

Hundreds attended Sen. John Hickenlooper's listening session in Naturita April 26. Most came to stand in opposition to a proposed national monument along the Dolores River.

Hickenlooper visits Naturita, listens to objections

Hundreds of people flocked to Naturita on Friday afternoon, April 26, for U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper’s visit to the West End. There, in the old elementary school gym, the senator appeared …

Hickenlooper delayed in West End until April 27

A proposal of a national monument along the Dolores River has upset the West End since March, and the majority of local communities have been vocal about not wanting to see such a designation, though …

Bette Nickell, Tom Loczy run for SMPA board (Part 1)

Bette Nickell and Tom Loczy are running against each other for a seat on San Miguel Power Association’s (SMPA’s) board of directors. The two are vying for a seat in District 1, the …

Hickenlooper will travel to Nucla April 23

Senator John Hickenlooper is coming to Nucla on April 23 at 1:30 p.m. to the community center for the purpose of hearing the opposition to a national monument that’s been proposed along the …

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May 8, 2024

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Health

Basin Clinic to receive $250k from county

The Basin Clinic held a board meeting March 20 with commissioners of Montrose County in attendance. The meeting began with an open discussion of the recent challenges the clinic has faced. …

Hoof & Paw celebrates success for animals, people

Over the last few months, Hoof & Paw has been working to support services the nonprofit offers by pursuing grants and funding opportunities beyond revenue brought in from the thrift store and …

Tony Adkins offers expertise for DEEEP

Nucla’s Carol Hunter has been working on a project for some time for the Colorado 150, a celebration of the state’s anniversary that also coincides with the nation’s 250th …

Library announces spring programming

Raena Wedel-Grindle, program coordinator for Naturita Community Library, told the San Miguel Basin Forum last Friday there’s much happening at the library for April and May. She hopes the …

Family movie night happens weekly in Naturita this summer

About one month ago, family movie night in Naturita began, and since then people have been coming together in the town park there to watch films like “ET,” “The Goonies,” …

Norwood opposes monument, tables solar letter

At Norwood’s town meeting April 10, which lasted more than three hours, Shawn Fallon was sworn in again for another term as town trustee. Michael Grady was also sworn in for the first time. …

Community comments on proposed monument in Norwood meeting

Last week, the town of Norwood held a work session and then a public meeting March 19 for the purpose of discussing the proposed national monument along the Dolores River Valley. While Mason Osgood, …

Why does SMC still OK Wright’s Mesa rural/ag for large-scale solar?

Since May of last year, 10 months of meetings have passed with residents of Wright’s Mesa emphatically declaring they don’t want a solar factory sitting at the bottom of Lone Cone. The …

Tooker calls for consent

Aimee Tooker didn’t just join the “Halt the Dolores Monument” group recently. Tooker, a community leader in the West End, has been in conversations about the monument since last …

Monument opposition grows

Sean Pond might have moved to Nucla to live a life of solitude, but that changed two weeks ago with the controversy of a national monument in the West End. Pond, who doesn’t consider himself a …

Monument discussion rattles West End

The proposal of a national monument along the Dolores River has rocked the West End, and many are trying to figure out what a monument would accomplish or limit. The Forum had a meeting …

Outdoor rec takes trip, spring play happens, admin approved

Nucla's junior high and high school kids perform

The outdoor recreation program at Nucla High School is thriving, and Brock Benson told the San Miguel Basin Forum that he and Bri Bonacquista are taking the kids on an extended field trip May 9. This …

Best to leash dogs or keep them fenced in town

Law enforcement commander of the West End Bruce Schmalz told the San Miguel Basin Forum that it’s not completely unheard of for him to get complaints of loose dogs, dogs chasing livestock, or …

Grants make school’s outdoor rec program possible

In 2023, Brock Benson teamed up with Bri Bonacquista to make biking possible in PE class. One year later, they’ve now got the foundation for a modern-day outdoor recreation class, thanks to …

Input needed for reservoir

Many in the West End have seen the survey that asks for input on the Rainbow Reservoir in Nucla. That survey is part of a town upgrade process that is taking place. Town Clerk Melissa Lampshire said …

Elementary celebrates new space, activities

Sara Bray, principal of the elementary grades at the new Nucla school, told the Forum things seem to be going well for students. They’ve been in the new brand-new space for nearly a month. With …

AG TALK: An introduction

My name is Keiran Bray, and I love agriculture. I have lived on my family’s ranch, Bray Ranches, since I was 2 years old. That’s 15 years of growing a love for agriculture. Having said …