Montrose County

KVNF's Lisa Young talks with Montrose County Manager Frank Rodriguez on 'unhoused' issue

The Western Slope effort to acquire major and historic Colorado River water rights will receive up to about $40 million in federal funding, reports the Grand Junction Daily Sentinel.

KVNF's Brody Wilson speaks with both candidates for the contested district 3 seat on the Montrose Board of County Commissioners.

FEATURE: For many parts of the rural Rocky Mountain West, public transit just doesn't exist, meaning locals and visitors are dependent on cars to get around. The Roaring Fork Valley 's local public transit system, RFTA , is the largest rural transit system in the U.S. For Rocky Mountain Community Radio, Caroline Llanes looks at reasons residents take the bus, and how RFTA is trying to make its service even better.

Thursday’s special meeting of the Paonia Board of Trustees paved the way for a formal hearing on August 13th that could result in the ouster of Trustee Bill Brunner.

The Blue Sage Center for the Arts in Paonia, Colorado has been hosting the Smithsonian's Crossroads: Change in Rural America Exhibition since mid-June. KVNF's Lisa Young spoke with Ali Lightfoot, Blue Sage executive director, about the exhibit highlighting rural America.

CDOT and Gunnison County have opened County Road 26 as a detour around the US 50 middle-bridge closure for local traffic. According to a CDOT press release, crews worked over the weekend to improve and open the Lake City Cutoff between Montrose and Gunnison. Pilot cars will lead passenger vehicles through the detour two times a day in each direction.

Montrose County recently awarded a $7.9 million dollar contract to FCI Constructors, Inc. for the construction of and renovation to the Montrose County Jail. Delta County Commissioners recently approved two Intergovernmental Agreements to place three new electric vehicle charging stations in Delta.

The Department of Local Affairs (DOLA), through the Division of Housing's State Housing Board, recently allocated $7.2 million dollars for 171 new affordable housing units around the state. Home Trust of Ouray County was granted $100,000 to assist with new construction of two affordable housing units in Ridgway.

The Montrose Regional Library Board members are standing by their previous statements against book-banning, giving their stance at a special meeting last Wednesday and in wake of lengthy public discussion. State Representative Matt Soper worked alongside House Speaker Julie McCluskey on an amendment to the state budget, adding $1 million dollars for grants to help struggling rural hospitals. KVNF's Lisa Young has this story.