Western Slope

Western Slope farmers and ranchers still tallying the cost of summer wildfires

Some of Mesa County rancher Janie VanWinkle's U.S. Forest Service grazing lands are only easily accessible by ATV or on…

October 8, 2025

Regional News

Polis declares statewide disaster emergency due to critical fire weather conditions, fires burning across Western Slope

A column of smoke and flames inside the evacuation zone of the Lee Fire along Highway 13 between Meeker and…

August 15, 2025

Regional News

Smoke from fires on Western Slope is producing dangerous air quality across much of the state

of it is coming from the Lee, Elk and Crosho fires

August 15, 2025

Regional News

Will monsoons be enough to beat drought on the Western Slope?

rain is off to a sputtering start in parts of the state, but western Colorado needs it most

July 25, 2025

Regional News

Hickenlooper’s Western Slope tour reveals growing frustration over Trump’s public lands policy

‘It’s going to be battle’ he told local officials in Eagle County as he encouraged stronger and unified opposition

April 18, 2025

Regional News

The Western Slope just asked for federal climate dollars to buy crucial water rights. Trump wants to roll back the funding

The Dolores River was flowing at 3,400 cfs on May 10, 2023. (Jason Blevins/The Colorado Sun) A $99 million plan…

November 23, 2024

Local News

Upper Pine fire, eight other departments receive $1.3M to address recruiting woes

cost of living, limited economic opportunities in rural Colorado contributing to struggles

October 29, 2024

Regional News

Teenager identified as human remains found in freezer near Grand Junction

(Associated Press file) Investigators have identified the person whose head and hands were found in a freezer left behind by…

October 12, 2024

Regional News

Police kill armed suspect at Glenwood Springs mall

(AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)dur-i-syn One suspect is dead after an officer-involved shooting at a popular, open-air mall on the Western…

September 3, 2024

Sports

No time can mean the best time

in rodeo and life is what you make of it

July 21, 2024

Regional News

To spread word of free tuition and boost low-income enrollment, one university goes on Western Slope high school tour

Colorado Mesa University President John Marshall visits Rifle High School on April 9, 2024, as the university starts rolling out…

April 28, 2024

Regional News

Postal Service floats idea of driving Western Slope mail to Denver and back before delivery

customers, including county clerks, mayors and city managers, say proposal to modernize Grand Junction processing and save money spells trouble

February 24, 2024

Sports

Santa Claus just may be a cowboy

Jenny Johnston/Western Chroniclescca Nothing says Christmas like jingle bell-clad horses and sleigh rides in the snow. After all, this is…

December 24, 2023

Regional News

A new area code is coming to northern and western Colorado in 2026

Seen from the South Rim, Black Canyon Road stretches down to the North Rim of the Black Canyon of the…

December 20, 2023

Regional News

From the Continental Divide to Utah, or somewhere else? Where is the Western Slope in Colorado?

Mt. Garfield, caught between fall in the Palisade orchards and a storm rolling in from the northwest, Nov. 10, 2022.…

November 28, 2023

Sports

A thousand miles from nowhere

Jenny Johnston/Western Chroniclescca From the prospector, who showed up at a time when I needed to find myself, to the…

November 18, 2023

Local News

Durango rodeo embodies Western heritage

event at La Plata County Fairgrounds seeks to expand its reach while staying true to its roots

June 23, 2023

Regional News

Colorado counties respond to wildfire season’s start

planners are trying anything and everything to make 2023 safer

April 3, 2023

Regional News

Colorado Parks and Wildlife begins clearing zebra mussels from reservoir

Aquatic biologists began spraying to kill the invasive species at Highline Lake State Park

March 3, 2023

Regional News

Wolf reintroduction evolves as challenges threaten early 2024 deadline

Colorado Parks and Wildlife commissioners hosted final public meeting on plan Wednesday

February 23, 2023

Regional News

End of Roe v. Wade has Western Slope prepping for more people seeking abortion access

wonders if those coming from Utah will be able to find clinics in Cortez and Durango

June 28, 2022

Regional News

Coloradans worried about water, wildfires and cost of living, new poll shows

Telephone and online interview polled 3,440 residents of eight Mountain West states

February 18, 2022

Local News

‘Extremely critical’ fire warning for first time in 15 years as Western Slope drought worsens

45% of Colorado, all west of the Continental Divide, now in some state of drought

June 11, 2021

Business

Mountain towns prepare for large crowds as summer sports and outdoor recreation festivals return

A cyclist rides up Hwy. 6 to Loveland Pass on Sept. 15, 2020. (Hart Van Denburg/CPR News) Visitation to Colorado’s…

June 8, 2021