Montrose Fresh

Today: The Montrose County School District board unanimously voted to offer Superintendent Doctor Carrie Stephenson a voluntary resignation and separation agreement after months of tension left their working relationship beyond repair. And later: Sharing Ministries Food Bank in western Colorado has received about 35,000 pounds of food at a time when demand is rising sharply. Support the show: http...

Today: Montrose resident and British Army veteran Kelvin Kent received royal recognition at Buckingham Palace, honoring a remarkable life of military service, Himalayan adventure, and community leadership. And later: Extreme heat, drought and wildfire debris are putting Colorado fish under growing stress, prompting hundreds of miles of fishing closures and emergency conservation efforts. Support t...

Today: The Montrose Recreation District is seeking community input on plans for a roughly $3 million new field house, with open houses and surveys helping determine its sports surfaces, fitness areas and other amenities. And later: Tour de Cedars returns on Sunday, September 6th, with four Cedaredge homes featuring local food, wine and cider, live music, and art to benefit the Grand Mesa Arts...

Today: Montrose Regional Health earned an overall A grade on the "2026 Lown Hospitals Index", receiving top marks for social responsibility, value, outcomes, patient satisfaction, and ranking first in Colorado for pay equity. And later: Crystal Dam releases are being reduced as water managers work to protect storage in Blue Mesa Reservoir while maintaining flows for endangered fish habitat. Suppor...

Today: A Montrose County jury convicted rancher Justin Dahl on 20 of 26 animal cruelty and neglect charges after prosecutors argued that pigs, horses, calves and dogs on his property were kept in severely neglected conditions, while Dahl maintained that a devastating illness—not neglect—caused the animals’ poor health. And later: A Montrose man accused of sexually exploiting chil...

Today: Montrose County School District Superintendent, Doctor Carrie Stephenson, remains on paid administrative leave as an investigation continues, leaving the district divided over her leadership as the new semester begins. And later: The "Monte de Rosas Fiesta" is returning to Montrose with a full day of music, food, dancing, and community celebration. Support the show: https://www.montrosepres...

Today... Amazon’s new $25 million last-mile delivery station in Montrose is creating local jobs, supporting businesses, and cutting many Amazon delivery times from seven to ten days down to just two or three. And later...El Pomar Foundation has awarded 335 thousand dollars to 37 organizations across southwestern Colorado. Support the show: https://www.montrosepress.com/site/forms/subscriptio...

Today... Montrose County Commissioner, Sean Pond, is facing accusations of antisemitism after posting an AI-generated image of Jewish gubernatorial candidate Phil Weiser with devil horns. Pond insists the meme was political satire and says he was unaware of Weiser’s religion. And later... Montrose is moving closer to tighter rules for electric bikes after the City Council unanimously approve...

Today... Isaac Snell pleaded guilty to reduced careless-driving charges in the 2024 US 550 crash that killed Trinity Hasse and Candace Smith. He now faces 10 to 365 days in jail. And later... About 300 cyclists are riding through south-central Colorado next week as part of Colorado’s Ride, a five-day tour. Support the show: https://www.montrosepress.com/site/forms/subscription_services/ See...

Today... PrimeHealth+ has sold its stabilized Montrose safety-net clinic to River Valley Family Health Center, which will continue operating the site and providing comprehensive care to the surrounding community. And later... Three motorcyclists died in separate crashes on US Five-Fifty, Colorado One-Forty-Five, and Colorado 82, prompting renewed calls for drivers and riders to use extra caut...

Today... Montrose officials are considering a major rewrite of the city’s e-bike rules, arguing that technology has moved faster than the law. And later... The Montrose Center for Arts is opening a new member exhibit called The Power of Art. Support the show: https://www.montrosepress.com/site/forms/subscription_services/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today... Snow Capped Cider’s traditional cider apples, high-altitude Colorado orchards, and careful craftsmanship have earned it record-setting honors at major international competitions. And later... Nearly 50 years after Ben Gray vanished, a Texas man is returning the missing rodeo legend’s stolen championship saddle to his family. Support the show: https://www.montrosepres...

Today: Montrose City Council scheduled several August meetings to discuss and gather public input on proposed charter amendments before finalizing any measures for the November ballot. And later: The Montrose County Fair Board works nearly year-round to organize the 10-day event and preserve local agricultural traditions for future generations. Support the show: https://www.montrosepress.com/site/...

Today... Three men face first-degree murder charges in the November 2025 killing of Christopher Hubbell, with one held without bond and two jailed on $1.5 million cash-only bonds. And later... As wildfire smoke clears across Colorado’s Western Slope, summer stargazing is coming back into focus. Support the show: https://www.montrosepress.com/site/forms/subscription_services/ See om...

Today... After nearly two decades with the Montrose Recreation District, lifelong recreation enthusiast Justin Mashburn has been named executive director and will lead major facility projects, community-focused growth, and internal improvements. And later... Montrose school administrator James Pavlich is retiring weeks after criticizing the board’s leadership, calling for the super...

Today... Local powerlifter, Allie Hamm, won one silver and three bronze medals at the Special Olympics, marking another milestone in a lifelong journey of overcoming challenges And later... Firefighters are gaining ground on the Gold Mountain and Elk fires, but flash-flood risks, changing evacuations, and the death of pilot Nicholas Dale continue to shape the emergency response. Support...

Today: Sue Hansen is stepping down from the Montrose County Board of Commissioners four months before her term ends, saying an early transition will give likely successor Caryn Gibson time to learn the role while she leaves behind a legacy of community-focused leadership and major county initiatives. And later: Three men are facing first-degree murder charges in the November 2025 shootin...

Today... A Montrose teenager and his family restored a historic snow ball trolley to preserve a beloved summer tradition for future generations. And later... The Montrose County Fair and Rodeo is back for its 140th year, bringing more than a week of family events, agricultural traditions, and rodeo action. Support the show: https://www.montrosepress.com/site/forms/subscription_services/ See omnyst...

Today... A solemn procession crossed Colorado’s Western Slope on Monday, honoring a Canadian helicopter pilot who died while fighting the Gold Mountain Fire. And later... Montrose’s "Development and Revitalization Team" has had its funding restored after a major budget typo. Support the show: https://www.montrosepress.com/site/forms/subscription_services/ See omnystudio.com/listener fo...

Today... Donald Rodarte Junior faces second-degree murder and multiple related charges in the June 11th shooting death of Jesse Pagan, and is being held on a one million dollar bond pending a July 23rd preliminary hearing. And later... Three new hotels are planned for the Colorado Outdoors complex in Montrose. Support the show: https://www.montrosepress.com/site/forms/subscription_services/ See om...

Today... The Montrose City Council voted 3 to 2 to reject a citizen charter commission and review potential ballot amendments itself, after Councilor Ed Ulibarri reversed his support, citing bullying from commission advocates. And later... Discounted season passes are now on sale for the "Fall Into Winter Concert Series" at the "Grand Mesa Arts and Events Center" in Cedaredge. Support the show: ht...

Today... Montrose County commissioners unanimously approved a six-month moratorium on new data center applications in unincorporated areas while they study potential impacts on infrastructure, resources, zoning, and community character. And later... The Montrose Recreation District is hosting a two-day adaptive pickleball event July 17th and 18th, featuring a beginner night and a mixed d...

Today... Montrose County marked America’s 250th anniversary with a brief courthouse ceremony that mixed patriotic reflection, recognition of local firefighters, and one attendee’s political protest. And later... Years after the Sunset Mesa case, remaining civil lawsuits are stalled because plaintiffs still can't get key federal records identifying whose remains were sold and...

Today... Montrose has canceled its Fourth of July fireworks because of wildfire danger, but will still celebrate with a heritage-themed parade, farmers’ market activities, food trucks, family events, dog shows, cornhole, and live music. And later... Two people are dead, and a 1-year-old girl is seriously injured, after a crash on Monday evening on US Five-Fifty near Solar Road. Sup...

Today... Recent wildfires in southwest Colorado prompted Montrose County to postpone its fire summit and the City of Montrose to delay its July 4th fireworks show to August 1st, while other Independence Day events remain scheduled. And later... Sweet corn will still be available this summer, but drought, pests, water cuts, and higher costs mean the crop will be much smaller and harder to...