MEEKER | A portion of Colorado’s opioid settlement funding will help expand recovery services in Rio Blanco County through the addition of a peer recovery specialist. In May, the Colorado Opioid Abatement Council awarded $11 million to 24 organizations and local governments statewide to expand treatment and recovery services related[Read More…]
Author: Niki Turner
Town of Meeker welcomes new town clerk
MEEKER | In what may have been the shortest Meeker town meeting in recent memory, trustees approved an update for Smoking River Brewing Co.’s liquor license that will allow them to serve beer and wine outside during their larger events, such as Oktoberfest. Town staff recommended approval with the contingency[Read More…]
EDITOR’S COLUMN – Tomorrow is a new day
“Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could. Some blunders and absurdities no doubt crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day.” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson The preceding quote would ideally be read right before bed, or right[Read More…]
Memorial Service
Jimmy Earl Kunkel, of Meeker, passed away on Sunday, May 31, 2026, at his home in Meeker. He was 72. Memorial Services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, June 5, 2026, at Meeker Christian Church. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made in Jimmy’s memory[Read More…]
Mirror Lake Trail Bridge to be replaced
Work begins this week; trail to remain open MEEKER | The White River National Forest, in partnership with the National Forest Foundation, will replace the bridge on the Mirror Lake Trail (#1821) that crosses the North Fork of the White River beginning June 4. The 3.5-mile trail in the Blanco[Read More…]
EDITOR’S COLUMN – The dishes are not the point
“We don’t see things as they are, we see them as we are.” ~ Añais Nin According to pioneering family therapist Virginia Satir, there are more than 250 ways to do the dishes. I just finished playing dish Jenga — that advanced skill developed by people without automatic dishwashers that[Read More…]
New signage stolen from historical marker near Meeker
MEEKER | The historic marker that points to the location of the Meeker Incident in 1879 sits about three miles west of Meeker at a pull-off on the south side of the highway just across from the turnoff to Strawberry Creek/County Rd. 7. If you’re driving fast and not looking[Read More…]
Library board approves support for Meeker School District curriculum
MEEKER | The Meeker Regional Library Board approved a $130,000 commitment toward curriculum materials for Meeker School District students during its May meeting, while also advancing a major roof repair project and discussing changes to meeting procedures and governance. The board voted unanimously to commit $130,000 toward curriculum and instructional[Read More…]
Maintenance work on East Beaver Road in Rio Blanco County begins June 1
Travel delays and short-term closures possible MEEKER | Roadwork to improve the East Beaver Road (National Forest System Road 250) in the Blanco Ranger District begins June 1. Short-term delays may be possible.The work will begin at the forest boundary northeast of Lake Avery and continue for 17.6 miles. The[Read More…]
EDITOR’S COLUMN – Testing… testing…
“Life is a test and this world a place of trial. Always the problems — or it may be the same problem — will be presented to every generation in different forms.” ~ Winston Churchill Despite what we may hope for during our school years, test-taking doesn’t end once we finish[Read More…]
Board of Health adopts updated waste water regulations; commissioners approve contracts, projects
RBC | The Rio Blanco County Board of Health adopted updated regulations governing on-site wastewater treatment systems (OWTS) during its May 19 meeting before county commissioners convened as the Board of County Commissioners later that afternoon. County Attorney Rose Pugliese presented the proposed regulations, explaining that the county last adopted[Read More…]
Parks, Robert Street discussion dominate Meeker board of trustees meeting
RBC | Old business took up the greater part of a lengthy Meeker Board of Trustees meeting on May 19, specifically continued discussion around the imminent takeover of responsibilities for care and maintenance of seven town-owned park properties on June 1 and ongoing negotiations with property owners in Sanderson Hills[Read More…]




