Hinsdale County

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.

Hinsdale County purchased a peninsula and island on Lake San Cristobal just over a year ago. As KVNF’s Laura Palmisano reports, the county now plans to move ahead with renovations at the property. Coal Basin, near Redstone, was the site of mining disasters last century. Now, a privately-owned parcel surrounded by National Forest land provides public access to custom mountain bike trails. As KDNK’s Morgan Neely reports, the trails offer recreation, while mitigating the environmental destruction left behind by the mine's operators.

Hinsdale County purchased a peninsula and island on Lake San Cristobal just over a year ago. As KVNF’s Laura Palmisano reports, the county now plans to move ahead with renovations at the property. Coal Basin, near Redstone, was the site of mining disasters last century. Now, a privately-owned parcel surrounded by National Forest land provides public access to custom mountain bike trails. As KDNK’s Morgan Neely reports, the trails offer recreation, while mitigating the environmental destruction left behind by the mine's operators.