OJT calls for Idea Factory applications from West End

On Sept. 14, the Forum met with representatives of the state of Colorado, specially from the Office of Just Transition, about a program that begins at the end of September. The Office of Just …

What species are the native fish exactly?

This summer, the Town of Nucla had discussed “sensitive fish,” but that the fish are not affected by discharge of Nucla’s treatment plant into Calamity Draw. Tim Pierce, Mayor Pro Tem who also …

Bockrath resigns as chief, confesses errors

Those in local communities may have heard that John Bockrath will be leaving his post as Norwood Fire and EMS Chief. He does have health issues at this time, which require a different climate. At the …

Bray talks drought, hay; calls for better relationships in navigating tough issues

Zandon Bray, of Bray Ranches, told the Forum there’s always some sort of challenge in agriculture; sometimes you just don’t know where it’s coming from. His family was hauling water for their …

A band stallion named Maiku rests on a hot July day.

Spring Creek Basin Herd at 74; PZP keeps numbers steady

The Forum checked in with T.J. Holmes of Disappointment Valley to inquire about an update of the Spring Creek Basin Herd. Holmes said it’s undeniably hot and dry, but thankfully the Ferris Fire …

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E-edition

October 15, 2026

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Health

Lewis, Pierce respond to health district mini-hospital questions

This November, West End voters will vote on ballot issues 6A and 6B, the passing of which would result in the formation of a hospital district and the construction of a mini-hospital, respectively. …

3rd annual Uranium Fly In happens Oct. 2-4

The third annual Uranium Fly In happens this weekend, Oct. 2-4. Organized by Nucla’s Aimee Tooker, the event shares local history with pilots who have an affinity for the West End area. This …

FERN FALK: A LIFETIME OF LISTENING AND LEARNING

Fern Falk has lived and worked in the Norwood area for most of her 91 years. In that time, she has learned the importance of getting to know folks who live here. And that means talking and listening. …

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,” …

Van Winkle talks fire, drought and wolves

Janie VanWinkle, Nucla native and part of VanWinkle Ranch on the Western Slope, told the Forum Aug. 10, during her dinner which was just getting started at 8:30 p.m., her family is still recovering …

A day in the life at the ICP during the Gold Mountain Fire

WILDFIRE A day in the life at the ICP during the Gold Mountain Fire By NATASHA HESSLER, Forum Intern The town of Ridgway, population 1,183 at the last census, has a new neighbor: the …

Wright, Dexter share wisdom on birds, fire

Many know or remember Brenda Wright and Coen Dexter, former Nucla residents, who for years maintained an impressive food-producing garden off 5th Avenue. The couple first came to the West End …

Ouray locals reflect on impacts of fire

On June 27, Elle Borsari was close to completing her shift at Action Horseback Adventures. It had been a regular day, busy like most at the property, but after five years of working there she was …

Norwood native Wyatt Hughes summits Everest

Wyatt Hughes, a Norwood native and the son of Howard Hughes, reached the top of Mount Everest May 28 at 12:30 p.m. How does the son of a western Colorado rancher, from a remote place like Norwood, …

Johnson makes new CORA request, questions town leadership

Mimi Johnson, vocal opponent to the newly erected cell tower in Nucla, shared with the Forum she contacted Nucla Town Hall that she was conducting a Colorado Open Records Act (CORA). In …

Town applies for affordable housing funds, schedules work sessions

At the Nucla Town Board of Trustees meeting on Sept. 23, Miranda Fengel followed up her discussion from last month, regarding the parking issue next to her Main Street business, at the intersection …

Trustees talk sidewalks, lease agreement, water and housing

Nucla’s Town Board of Trustees met July 22 in a regular monthly meeting, and during public comment Josh Fengel, co-owner of Split Rock Printworks, brought up the possibility of the town partnering …

Tensions high with workforce housing, water bills, cell tower

The Town of Nucla’s regular meeting on July 8 included new trustee Brad Miller. A tense meeting, early on was discussion of workforce housing at CampV outside of Naturita. CampV has applied for a …

The Branding Iron open house July 10; grand opening July 18

Jill Storey has been hard at work since March, transforming the 5th Avenue Grill into what will be unveiled as The Branding Iron on Friday, July 10. “I’m so excited, and we are …

Mayor reports on Main Street business meetings

Some Nucla Main Street business owners have been attending meetings to discuss initiatives to increase tourism, commerce and visibility. At the Nucla Town Board Meeting of Trustees on June 8 — …

Zeedyk structures let water ‘do the work’

Wet meadows, which occur in drylands when stream systems are connected to a floodplain, provide a host of hydrological, river-related and ecological benefits. These groundwater-dependent riparian …