I don’t know when the notion of choosing a particular word as a kind of mantra for the coming year became a trend, I just know I usually forget to decide until I’m halfway through January. This year, I’m a wee bit ahead of the game, maybe. One’s chosen word[Read More…]
Author: Niki Turner
Consultants: Meeker needs more single-family homes
Town trustees heard the results of a housing assessment conducted earlier this year by Ayres Associates. The purpose of the assessment was to understand the current housing market and identify opportunities to support attainable/affordable housing units; identify gaps and unmet needs in the market; and identify housing strategies and policies[Read More…]
Editor’s Column – A midwinter night’s dream?
The winter solstice occurs at 8:27 p.m. MST on Thursday, Dec. 21. That’s the specific moment when Earth’s northern hemisphere is tilted as far away from the sun as possible. Also known as midwinter, it’s the shortest day and the longest night of the year. From this point through midsummer,[Read More…]
Conrado family donation will extend co-responder program
Nationwide, somewhere between 10-20% of emergency calls to police involve individuals experiencing a mental health crisis. Some of those calls end tragically, as was the case in the 2021 shooting death of Christian Glass, 22, in Clear Creek County. Six officers who responded to Glass’s 911 call have been criminally[Read More…]
Commissioners hear Wolf Creek update, discuss 2024 budget
Commissioners met Tuesday in Meeker at 10 a.m. for a regular meeting and went directly into executive session to receive legal advice on specific legal questions regarding conservation easements, county road policies, and 1041 regulations regarding wind and solar; and determining positions relative to matters that may be subject to[Read More…]
Commissioners take neutral stance on proposed Elk Creek Ranch easement
Rio Blanco County Commissioners approved a “letter of neutrality” regarding a proposed conservation easement at Elk Creek Ranch during a special meeting Thursday, Dec. 30. The acquisition of 7 Lakes Lodge in 2021 quintupled Elk Creek Ranch’s physical footprint — 25,000 acres for hunting, fishing and recreation, including more than[Read More…]
EDITOR’S COLUMN – Desiderata … ‘things desired’
Years ago, the commercial Christmas season was heralded not by the terror of hearing a certain Mariah Carey song-that-shall-not-be-named, but by the arrival of the department store Christmas catalog. Within its glossy pages were sparkling images of smiling children and all the best toys one could request from Santa. Pages[Read More…]
State’s property tax changes expected to delay budgets for Town of Meeker and several other special districts
The 2024 budget for the Town of Meeker was reviewed in a public hearing Tuesday, Nov. 21. There were minor amendments from the preliminary presentation in October, including increases in interest income for all funds and reductions in salaries and withholding to reflect actual salaries. The Town’s total budget for[Read More…]
Editor’s Column – Making peace with preferences
“Somehow each of the three bears figured out exactly what was comfortable for them. And yet despite the obvious differences, they did not try to impose their preferences on the rest of the family. And if we can take a lesson from that, maybe that would make our society a[Read More…]
Editor’s Column – Assumptions
Be curious, not judgmental. ~ Ted Lasso By the time you read this, you’ve most likely enjoyed (or endured) the annual gathering of friends and family around the Thanksgiving table. Hopefully, the food and drink were delicious, and the conversation was amicable. However, if you walked away agitated or inflamed[Read More…]
Here we go a-yurting
About 36 miles east of Meeker in the White River National Forest rests a testament to human history, ingenuity and community — a yurt. The structure, engineered by Meeker resident Roy Wedding, is put up every November by a “loosely organized” group called the White River Nordic Council. Saturday, Nov.[Read More…]
BOCC sets dates for 2024 fair, revisits Ridge Estates Road maint.
Dates for the county fair in 2024 were set by the Rio Blanco County Board of Commissioners Tuesday during the regular meeting. Shooting sports events will start July 20, equine events July 26, general fair July 29-Aug. 4, and the livestock sale will be held Aug. 3, 2024. Also approved[Read More…]
