Rocky Mountain Community Radio

Leaf-peeping, the popular September activity of watching aspen leaves turn golden, reaches its peak in mid-September. However, Boulder naturalists Steve Jones and Ruth Carol Cushman prefer to head out early, appreciating the beauty of green aspen leaves. As a bonus, they spot an unusual late-season bloom of mountain wildflowers.

Former President of the Navajo Nation Jonathan Nez is running for Congress in Arizona’s 2nd Congressional District, challenging the incumbent Republican Eli Crane.

People gathered in Grand Junction on August 28, to remember the Coloradans lost to overdose in 2023. Although overdose deaths in 2023 have decreased nationwide, Colorado and Mesa County saw an increase.

According to Colorado Parks and Wildlife, the second biggest threat to biodiversity is invasive species preceded only by habitat loss. Invasive plants are spread by natural forces, like wind and wildfire, and largely in part, by unknowing humans. Reporter Lily Jones has more to the story.

Colorado's trails and mountain roads are cherished by both locals and visitors. Many of these routes are managed by the U.S. Forest Service, which is currently surveying visitor traffic in the southwest and central Rockies.

Trumpeter swans were once thought extinct in the continental US. At least, until a flock was found in Yellowstone, making this region a big reason for the iconic bird’s rebound.

The annual market brought 100,000 visitors and artists from more than 200 tribes. Many artists from the Four Corners region appeared at the event.

Last month, over 50 musicians from across Colorado and the country came to the tiny mountain town of Lake City. They were here to put on a band concert. It's not a paying gig. They do it for the love of music. As Laura Palmisano reports for KVNF, they had two days to prepare for the show.

A Southern Ute organization hosted a youth fashion event alongside an annual art market and juried show. Tribal youth and families showed off handmade and back-to-school outfits.

It’s not often that folks can get a ‘bird’s eye’ view of the largest flattop in the world, but many did earlier this month thanks to Aspen based Ecoflight and Citizen’s for a Healthy Community located in Paonia, Colorado. This year Ecoflight provided 10 flights over the Nork Fork Valley and Grand Mesa to view low to high potential areas for oil and gas development.