KMTS Connections

YouthZone is bringing back its long-running “Kiss & Squeal” fundraiser as part of its 50th anniversary celebration, kicking off with a fun community event in Rifle and culminating at a gala on May 1st at Hotel Colorado. The campaign features local teams and individuals raising money, with the top fundraiser earning (or enduring) the honor ... Read more The post KMTS Connections: YouthZone’s Kiss -...

In this episode of KMTS Connections, Mary Cloud from River Bridge Regional Center shares an overview of the organization’s role in supporting children and families impacted by abuse. River Bridge provides a safe, child-friendly space for forensic interviews, advocacy, mental health services, and medical care—all at no cost. Mary highlights how their work not only ... Read more The post KMTS Connec...

Liberty Classical Academy’s upcoming production of Once Upon a Mattress promises a lively, humorous twist on the classic “Princess and the Pea” story, featuring colorful characters, energetic dance numbers, and live music. Director Trea Traver and student performers highlight the unique approach this year, including double-casting for key roles like Princess Winifred and Queen Aggravain, ... Read...

Waylon Panter, a junior golfer representing Rifle High School, joins KMTS Connections to talk about an exciting opportunity to travel to Australia this summer through Coast 2 Coast International Athletics. After qualifying for the state golf tournament two years in a row, Waylon received an invitation to join a select group of young athletes for ... Read more The post KMTS Connections: Coast 2 Coa...

In this episode of KMTS Connections, Mary Evans of the Middle Colorado Watershed Council shares details about the 2026 Fire & Water Speaker Series, a three-part community event focused on how water, wildfire, and people shape life in the Colorado River Basin. Drawing on her background in ecology and data science, Mary talks about the ... Read more The post KMTS Connections: Middle Colorado Watersh...

EXTRA! EXTRA! Due to the closure of Roaring Fork Schools on Friday, February 20th because of weather and travel safety concerns, opening night of Newsies has been canceled. Saturday’s performance will now be the first show. Anyone who purchased online tickets for February 20th can request a refund or move their tickets to another performance. ... Read more The post KMTS Connections: Glenwood Sprin...

Ali from YouthZone joined KMTS Connections to share the exciting return of “Kiss n’ Squeal,” the organization’s beloved (and unforgettable) pig-kissing fundraiser. After an 11-year hiatus, the event is coming back in 2026 to celebrate YouthZone’s 50th anniversary. Originally launched in 1991, Kiss n’ Squeal raised more than $1.3 million over two decades by rallying ... Read more The post KMTS Conn...

In this episode of KMTS Connections, representatives from River Bridge Regional Center, Health Solutions West, and Advocate Safehouse Project join the conversation to talk about the 36th Annual Garfield County Humanitarian Awards. Nominations are open through February 27 at 4 p.m., and community members are encouraged to recognize individuals of all ages who make a ... Read more The post KMTS Conn...

In this episode of KMTS Connections, Cynthia Jenness and Kalli Wilson from the Graham Mesa Elementary PTO share details about the upcoming Daddy-Daughter Dance on February 21. Open to all father figures and elementary-aged girls, the event is a long-standing community favorite focused on making memories and having fun. Guests can enjoy music from a ... Read more The post KMTS Connections: Graham M...

The latest KMTS Connections spot highlights Symphony in the Valley and their annual Symphony Swing fundraiser, themed “Putting on the Glitz.” Maestro Kelly Thompson, along with singers Warren Lucio and Heidi Rovig, chat about this big band–inspired celebration happening Friday, February 13 at the Ute Theater and Saturday, February 14 at the historic Hotel Colorado. ... Read more The post KMTS Conn...

This episode of KMTS Connections features a conversation with Alicia Gresley, Executive Director of the Colorado River Valley Economic Development Partnership, and Ari Lewis, the partnership’s new Program and Community Manager. They discuss the launch of the Idea Factory, a new four-week virtual cohort program brought to the region in partnership with Startup Colorado. The ... Read more The post K...

Today, our conversation with members of Garfield County Search and Rescue about what they do and why they’re actively recruiting new volunteers. President Mike Kavanaugh, board member Corey Ice, and longtime member Elise Wolff share an overview of the team’s mission: finding the lost, rescuing the stranded or injured, recovering the deceased, and educating the ... Read more The post KMTS Connectio...

Two Rivers Community Foundation board members Amber Wissing and Katie Ledall talk about Skier Appreciation Day at Sunlight Mountain Resort on Friday, January 9-—a long-running local tradition that now benefits Two Rivers Community Foundation. It’s a community-forward day with $25 lift tickets, a fun “Slopeside Circus” theme, costumes, games, giveaways, live music, and chances to ... Read more The...

Great Expectations (formerly Family Visitor Programs) is a local nonprofit serving families from Aspen to Parachute, focused on strengthening and empowering parents with young children—starting in pregnancy through a child’s third birthday. They offer a mix of evidence-based home visiting (including Nurse-Family Partnership and Healthy Families America), parenting groups, and help connecting famil...

Tara Harman from the Glenwood Springs Chamber joins KMTS Connections to preview the Grand Holiday Celebration, happening Friday from 3:30–7:30 PM under the Grand Avenue Bridge at Bethel Plaza. Tara shares why the event is moving locations this year (better cover and a great community vibe) and highlights that it’s free and family-friendly, with Santa, ... Read more The post KMTS Connections: Glenw...

Hattie Rensberry from Journey Home Animal Care Center talks about their annual *Photos with Santa* fundraiser, held at the shelter with a special 9–10 a.m. hour reserved just for dog-reactive pups who need a calmer environment. From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., everyone else is welcome, with optional printed photos for a small fundraiser fee ... Read more The post KMTS Connections: Journey Home Animal Care...

Donna Marye from the Glenwood Springs Elks Lodge talks about their annual Holiday Craft Fair and Bake Sale, happening this Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Elks Lodge in West Glenwood. For $40, local crafters and bakers can rent a table, keep all their sales, and help support Mountain Valley Developmental Services ... Read more The post KMTS Connections: Glenwood Springs Elks Holiday Craft Fa...

Mountain Madrigal Singers return for their 45th season with “All Our Holiday Stuff,” a free community Christmas concert series at Glenwood Church of Christ in West Glenwood. The longtime local choir, directed by Laura Porterfield, blends sacred and secular favorites, from traditional carols and a cappella pieces to fun numbers like a Grinch medley and ... Read more The post KMTS Connections: Mount...

Wamsley Elementary’s PTAC in Rifle is hosting a family-friendly Winter Wonderland indoor carnival on Thursday, December 11, from 5:30–7:30 p.m. The “season of giving”–themed event features student-led community projects, classic carnival games, photos with Santa, and a cozy Outdoor Classroom with fire pits, hot chocolate, and free cookies. Local businesses can sponsor holiday trees that ... Read m...

Symphony in the Valley is kicking off the holiday season with *“Sugar Plums and Sleigh Bells: A Colorado Christmas”* at the Ute Theater in Rifle. The concerts feature live orchestra favorites like “Sleigh Ride,” a Hanukkah medley, and a brand-new piece, *Hometown Holiday*, inspired by Rifle itself, alongside beloved selections from *The Nutcracker* danced by ... Read more The post KMTS Connections...

Ali with YouthZone drops by with updates ahead of Colorado Gives Day (early giving is open). Donations through the statewide platform boost a shared incentive fund, and there’s even a match for the first month of new recurring gifts (up to $100). The nonprofit is one of the few in Colorado offering youth diversion and ... Read more The post KMTS Connections: YouthZone — Reasons to Give Through Col...

Mountain Valley Developmental Services shares two easy ways to support neighbors with intellectual and developmental disabilities. First up: their Sneaker Drive (Oct 10–Nov 11) aiming for 500 pairs of gently-used athletic shoes—any brand or style counts. Collected shoes are reused or recycled through the GotSneakers program, raising a few dollars per pair while keeping footwear ... Read more The p...

Aspen Community Theatre presents Neil Simon’s door-slamming farce “Rumors”—a return to non-musical theatre after 25 years and the first ACT production to play beyond Aspen. The show splits its run between Aspen’s Wheeler Opera House and Rifle’s Ute Theater, underscoring ACT’s up-and-down-valley community focus. Board president Brad Moore and cast members Sheri Brinker and Mircea ... Read more The...

RIDE (Riding Institute for Disabled Equestrians) dropped in to share a feel-good season and invite everyone to a family celebration at WingNutz Bar & Grill in Rifle, Sunday, November 2, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., tied to the football game between Denver and Houston and honoring longtime participant families and sponsors. Expect fun drawings ... Read more The post KMTS Connections: Riding Institute fo...

The Rifle Elks Lodge is hosting its third annual Veterans Day Dinner on Sunday, November 9th at the Ute Theater. Due to growing popularity, the event has outgrown the Lodge and will feature a catered pork and chicken dinner, branch-specific cakes, and a special Marine Corps birthday tribute. The evening includes speakers, an Air Force ... Read more The post KMTS Connections: Rifle Elks Host 3rd An...