Writers on the Range

Hey, Utah
Hey, Utah

Americans love their public lands, so stop trying to get rid of them

By Aaron Weiss / Writers on the Range
A false solution
A false solution

It’s time to get real about plastic recycling – or lack thereof
 

By Karen Mockler / Writers on the Range
A wake-up call
A wake-up call

Devastation of L.A. fires could happen anywhere – even Durango
 

By Dave Marston / Writers on the Range
Savoring darkness
Savoring darkness

Alaska’s endless nights offer cool respite from Earth’s encroaching heat
 

By Tim Lydon / Writers on the Range
Of bears and Bears Ears
Of bears and Bears Ears

A rundown of what Westerners cared about in 2024

By Betsy Marston
All along the watchtower
All along the watchtower

Observations of a San Juan Mountain fire lookout

By Rick Freimuth / Writers on the Range
Turning 'nothing' into something
Turning 'nothing' into something

‘Centennial’ reminds us land is more than just the backdrop to the West

By Patricia J. Rettig / Writers on the Range
Scrapping the stigma
Scrapping the stigma

Opening up about mental illness will help make us all healthier
 

By David Marston / Writers on the Range
Trump's public lands playbook
Trump's public lands playbook

This time, public sentiment, law are on conservation’s side 
 

By Jennifer Rokala / Writes on the Range
Recipe for disaster?
Recipe for disaster?

Trump’s unsound policies on tariffs and workers portend an economic fallout
 

By David Marston / Writers on the Range
Coexisting with compassion
Coexisting with compassion

Takeaways in the wake of Grizzly 399’s tragic death
 

By Wendy Keefover & Kristin Combs / Writers on the Range
Western lament
Western lament

Red-leaning states are abandoning pragmatic conservatism
 

By Jonathan Thompson / Writers on the Range
A natural ally
A natural ally

We need mountain lions to do their job

By Dan Ashe / Writers on the range
Dam'ed if they don't
Dam'ed if they don't

Lake Powell operators can no longer turn blind eye to dead pool
 

By Zak Podmore / Writers on the Range
Pick your poison
Pick your poison

How a controversial herbicide saved a Utah lake

By Ted Williams / Writers on the Range
People power
People power

Without volunteers, the Colorado Trail would be nowhere

By David Marston / Writers on the Range
Wolf tales
Wolf tales

Biologist details 40 years of living with wolves in northern Montana
 

By Ben Long / Writers on the Range
Fire on the mountain
Fire on the mountain

When fire danger is high, hikers turn into smoke-battling vigilantes

By Zeke Lloyd / Writers on the Range
Beyond net zero
Beyond net zero

Utilities should focus on better batteries and smarter management

By Auden Schendler / Writers on the Range
Silence is golden
Silence is golden

'Almost there," "good job" and other sayings to annoy fellow trail-users of a certain age

By Marjorie "Slim" Woodruff / Writers on the Range

Top Stories

Meet the new boss
06/19/2025
Meet the new boss

Scott McClain tapped as City's new Parks and Recreation Director

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Gaining speed
06/19/2025
Gaining speed
By Telegraph staff

Silverton’s Baker’s Park project awarded $750,000 GOCO grant
 

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Big? Definitely ...
06/12/2025
Big? Definitely ...
By Allen Best / Big Pivots

but Colorado utilities see no beauty in Trump’s reconciliation budget bill
 

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Making a run
06/12/2025
Making a run
By Bente Birkeland / Colorado Public Radio

Bayfield Republican announces bid to challenge Rep. Jeff Hurd

Read More
Read All in Top Stories

The Pole

Got scraps?
06/19/2025

The City of Durango is offering discounted compost service for income-qualified residents. Residents who complete an application and are approved for the Food Tax Rebate or Utility Refund (or both) will be automatically approved for discounted curbside compost collection from Table to Farm Compost.

Lofty dreams
06/12/2025

There’s about to be another reason to pull off 1-70 in Idaho Springs other than Beau Jo’s pizza. Work began last week on a $58 million gondola that will haul people 1,300 feet up the mountain from the historic Argo Mill in town.

Mad moms
06/05/2025

The moose is loose, and don’t mess with her. This week, Colorado Parks and Wildlife issued a warning about potentially aggressive cow moose as they protect their young during calving season. The warning was issued in the wake of three recent attacks, which occurred in Park, Grand and Routt counties. Folks are advised to be extra vigilant near water with thick vegetation, where moose often hide their young, and be forewarned: nothing pisses them off more than furry four-legged hiking companions.

On the rocks
05/22/2025

If you come upon a painted rock on your travels around Durango next week, don’t be so quick to dismiss it. It could be part of the City of Durango’s 3rd annual Scavenger Hunt. The hunt, which places five brightly painted rocks in various locations around the city, takes place Mon., May 26 - Fri., May 30. 

Read All Stories in the Pole