News

Local News

Polis offers tax extension to individuals and businesses impacted by Ferris Fire

As evacuees return home, Colorado provides penalty waiver for late state filings

July 18, 2026

Local News

2026 Montezuma County Fair set to begin next weekend, horse show kicks off this Saturday

The fair will run for a week, ending with the livestock show and dance

July 18, 2026

Local News

CPW implements daily furbearer bag limit at Ignacio meeting

Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission cuts back harvesting of all 17 commodity species

July 17, 2026

Local News

CDOT road work – beginning Monday on Red Mountain Pass – to cause travel delays

Construction between Ouray and Silverton scheduled to last through much of September

July 17, 2026

Local News

Food insecurity impacts La Plata County’s residents in range of ways

‘This really is an issue affecting many of our friends and neighbors,’ food equity leader says

July 17, 2026

Local News

Southwest Colorado tourism down as drought and fire deter visitors

Officials worry about the economy, health of businesses long term

July 17, 2026

Local News

Patron Nightclub in Cortez denied liquor license renewal

2-year-old business can no longer legally serve alcohol, officials rule

July 16, 2026

Local News

A letter to readers from the new publisher at BCI

At Ballantine Communications, we are fortunate to serve a community as wide-ranging and diverse as ours in a landscape composed…

July 16, 2026

Local News

Growth on Ferris Fire halts; containment reaches 53%

Incident managers: Spread stopped, allowing crews to focus on hot spots, repair work

July 16, 2026

Local News

City of Cortez adopts AI policy

Officials stress importance of human oversight

July 16, 2026

Local News

Dollar store ruling prompts Montezuma County to consider land-use code revisions

Judge rules for county but says ‘arguably, the code is poor public policy’

July 16, 2026

Education

Southwest Conservation Corps launches adult day crew program in Montezuma County

Participants will gain entry-level experience in chainsaw operations, trail maintenance

July 16, 2026

Local News

Montezuma County commissioners seek audit of sheriff’s office after disputing budget cuts claims

BOCC members say MCSO’s budget increased – not decreased – from 2025 to this year

July 15, 2026

Local News

Chris Ballantine named CEO/publisher of Ballantine Communications

Next generation family member says he wants to listen, improve and innovate

July 15, 2026

Local News

Southwest Colorado ranchers face ‘triple whammy’ amid fires, drought and high costs

Some Montezuma County officials worry ranchers will start to leave the region

July 15, 2026

Local News

Daily thunderstorms return to Montezuma County

Shift from excessive heat to scattered storms eases drought, critical fire weather

July 14, 2026

Education

Dolores School District raises teacher base pay, continues with track plans

The track would be part of the next phase of the district’s master plan

July 14, 2026

Local News

Colorado hasn’t seen elevated cases of cyclosporiasis despite outbreaks elsewhere

‘Explosive diarrhea parasite’ from produce largely impacting New York, Michigan

July 14, 2026

Local News

Hesperus farmer and veteran gifted a Kubota tractor through Geared to Give program

‘Griggstead’ homestead founded in pursuit of a healthy lifestyle

July 14, 2026

Local News

Inside the camp supporting 1,000 personnel on Ferris Fire

‘Little freestanding city’ includes showers, laundry services, catering, a medical unit and security

July 14, 2026

Local News

CPW enacts voluntary fishing closure on Animas, San Juan and Dolores rivers

Water temperatures consistently reaching 71 degrees and above in Southwest Colorado

July 13, 2026

Local News

Incident meteorologists keep firefighters safe by tracking complex weather patterns that fuel wildfires

Sometimes fires create their own weather Incident meteorologists keep firefighters safe by tracking complex fire weather that fuels blazes. (Courtesy…

July 12, 2026

Local News

Judge upholds Montezuma County commissioners’ denial of Dollar General permit

Developer plans an appeal

July 12, 2026

Local News

Sheriff blames budget cuts for disbanding narcotics team; Montezuma County disputes claim

Sheriff Nowlin will address commissioners on Tuesday

July 11, 2026