Bockrath warns about fire danger; high school kids join department

Norwood Fire Chief John Bockrath told the Forum Monday morning his department has had two out-of-control burns in the last two weeks. The first was two weeks ago Saturday, when a woman was burning a …

Sidewalk work starts, mayor resigns, cell tower meeting is April 3

The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), the Town of Nucla, and Williams Construction announced last week that they’ll be revitalizing the sidewalks on Main Street in Nucla. The work …

Locals share opinions on immigration through a news poll

The San Miguel Basin Forum noted last year that through surveys gearing up for the 2024 election West End residents reported some of their issues of most concern being “the economy and cost of …

Paul Szilagyi, of the NCA working group, addresses the crowd in the public meeting about a potential NCA on Jan. 22.

NCA public meeting sought public comment

Approximately 100 people attended a public meeting in the West End at the Nucla Community Center Jan. 22, regarding the idea of a proposed national conservation area (NCA) that could be established …

2nd wolf release completed with CPW

Tim Ritschard, fifth-generation rancher in Grand County, is also the president of the Middle Park Stock Growers Association and runs a number of cows on his family’s operation. The Forum spoke …

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March 19, 2025

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Health

EMT class is in the works for West End

Jeff Stephens, public information officer and EMT for the Nucla-Naturita Fire Department, told the Forum last week additional EMTs are now needed. There are 21 now working for EMS in the West End …

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 …

Heritage Fest is Oct. 5

What has come to be one of the West End’s most cherished celebrations, the Heritage Festival, in its eighth year, is coming right up on Oct. 5. Melanie Eggers, co-founder of the Apple Core …

Dark Sky Wellness aims to support community, health

Jami Allred grew up in West End, moved away for 22 years and just moved back in 2024. She’d always been interested in the healing arts and alternative modalities. After an on-the-job injury …

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,” …

Joshua Ledford is new NHS principal

Joshua Ledford is the new principal for Nucla’s middle and high school, coming all the way from Alaska. He shared with the Forum some of his background and education. In 2014, he …

Bishop in court; Nucla schedules recall election

Dan Bishop appeared last week, Jan. 8, for a preliminary hearing to determine if there might be enough evidence to support his murder charges for a trial. Bishop has been in custody since October, …

Hansen encourages attendance at NCA public meeting Jan. 22

Led by community leader Aimee Tooker and Montrose County Commissioner Sue Hansen, there’s a public meeting in Nucla on Jan. 22 at 6 p.m. the Nucla Community Center to discuss the idea of a …

Planning Commission doesn’t recommend Redvale tower

More than 20 people attended a meeting at the Nucla Community Center on Dec. 19, the second public meeting on a proposed cell tower in Redvale. The first meeting was Nov. 21, to give opportunity for …

Local towns approve 2025 budgets

After work sessions and planning, the towns of Nucla, Naturita and Norwood approved their 2025 budgets in December meetings, and local town clerks released those to the San Miguel Basin Forum. Those …

What’s happening with the Rimrock Hotel?

The Forum has been contacted by a few different people in the West End who have expressed concern that the Rimrock Hotel has been purchased by Tel-Ski, the Telluride Ski Resort, for the purpose of …

Brown, Tooker run for mayor

Paula Brown and Aimee Tooker are both running for Nucla mayor as a successor in the April 1 election. Current Nucla Mayor Kirk Yerke is on the election ballot regarding a recall, and voters will …

Town board meeting tense with tower issue, code enforcement

At the Feb. 12 town board meeting in Nucla, Darla Joseph appeared before trustees. She said since she’s been with NNTC — which is the local internet and phone service provider — for …

Redvale meeting is Feb. 12; Nucla tower is separate issue

There are two different cell tower issues in the West End, which should not be confused, and the San Miguel Basin Forum is covering both of them. One cell tower has been proposed in …

Town to establish cell tower in Nucla

The Town of Nucla held a regular town meeting on Jan. 23, and then on the agenda was discussion of a cell tower in Nucla. Citizens should note this is not the proposed cell tower in Redvale that has …

Code enforcement gets serious in Nucla; tense town meetings led to mayoral recall

The Town of Nucla, similar to Naturita and its efforts the last few years, is working to get and keep things cleaned up. Brooke Smith has been working as the town’s code enforcement and animal …

The San Miguel Current now accepting student submissions

True North Youth Program is a local organization designed to help high school students make a pathway as they ascend to adulthood. This program is valuable for students living in San Miguel and West …