Hinsdale County

The bridge closure on U.S. 50 between Montrose and Gunnison is affecting the delivery of beer and other beverages to the remote mountain town of Lake City. Local restaurants and the town's only liquor store are seeing shipment delays.

A Lake City-based construction company can't start its first job of the season due to the bridge closure on U.S. 50 between Montrose and Gunnison. Coal Creek Construction's heavy equipment is stuck in Montrose. It was set to start work for the U.S. Forest Service in Crested Butte at the beginning of this month. The company says it would cost thousands of dollars to move its equipment using the I-70 detour.

Despite the separation of church and state, prayers are said on the floors of state legislatures across the United States. Many states also have Bible study classes at their state Houses, including Colorado.

Remote Hinsdale County is not a ski destination like Aspen or Telluride. Lake City, the county’s only incorporated town, touts its ski hill as what skiing was like before the rise of mega ski resorts. For KVNF, Laura Palmisano reports from opening day.

Every birth experience is different. Some are joyful, even spiritual occasions. Others result in emergency situations or even tragedy. This week on Local Motion, four mothers share their birth stories.

Governor Jared Polis stopped in remote Hinsdale County on Wednesday to visit Peninsula Park on Lake San Cristobal. For KVNF, Laura Palmisano reports from the event just outside of Lake City.

History Colorado, the state’s historic fund, recently awarded the Hinsdale County Historical Society a $50,000 grant. The money will help in the restoration of a rail car that once transported people and goods to and from the town of Lake City. However, the grant requires matching funds. The organization already has $15,000 in pledges from a small group of local rail enthusiasts. But, the historical society still needs to raise an additional $25,000 to match the grant. As Laura Palmisano reports, the organization is nearly halfway to that goal. Learn more here.

Planning to visit Lake San Cristobal in Hinsdale County this summer? Laura Palmisano reports there are some new rules for the lake and other county-owned recreation sites. Boats will now undergo aquatic nuisance species inspections at the boat dock. Colorado Parks and Wildlife says it will run the screenings daily from sunrise to sunset and will have a mobile decontamination unit on site if needed. Learn more here.

A federal judge has vacated a plan for drilling and fracking in the North Fork and Thompson Divide areas. KDNK’s Morgan Neely has more. Plus, Hinsdale County Sheriff Chris Kambish speaks to reporter Laura Palmisano about Off-Highway Vehicle education and enforcement. OHVs are permitted on a three-mile section of State Highway 149 in Hinsdale County for the season starting this coming weekend. This allows OHVs to access the Alpine Loop, a backcountry byway that connects Lake City, Silverton, and Ouray.

Memorial Day Weekend is the start of off-road season in many Colorado communities. Off-Highway Vehicles are permitted on a three-mile section of State Highway 149 in Hinsdale County from this weekend through the end of September. This pilot program allows OHVs to access the Alpine Loop, a backcountry byway that connects Lake City, Silverton, and Ouray. Hinsdale County Sheriff Chris Kambish speaks to KVNF reporter Laura Palmisano about OHV education and enforcement.