RMCR

A group of Western Slope counties has completed research into the viability of opening a sustainable aviation fuel plant. They determined it wouldn't be cost competitive, based on current technology.

The Rocky Mountain Institute is a "think and do tank" with roots in the Roaring Fork Valley, working to facilitate climate solutions around the world. CEO Jon Creyts says renewable energy is affordable and reliable, and that most countries are racing to adopt it. This story is part of our "On the Ground" radio series.

From January 16-18, 2026, the First People's Festival in Estes Park brought together Indigenous artists, dancers, educators, and families for a fashion show, an art market, cultural demonstrations, and a powwow, creating a space for celebration, education, and remembrance.

Ridgway oil painter Emma Kalff talks about what it takes to make a living as a visual artist today, from balancing creative work with business demands to teaching online as a way to push back against isolation in rural communities.

Cold nights are important for preserving snowpack and making snow at ski resorts. Climate change is affecting both.

Experts say the federal government does not want to be the decision maker, and is pushing states to come to an agreement on future water use that will inform the river's post-2026 operating guidelines. CU Boulder's Chris Winter weighs in on the Interior's draft environmental impact statement.

Warm temperatures and a lack of snow have made for an anomalous winter in the Upper Colorado River Basin. While it's not "the new normal," winters are certainly warming up due to climate change.

The school district is testing the feasibility of a geothermal field to heat and cool its three schools. If successful, it could expand the thermal energy network beyond its campus.

Pitkin County commissioners are weighing whether to support the Wildlife Road Crossings Program Reauthorization Act. If passed, it would fund the building and maintenance of wildlife crossings from 2026 to 2031. Some commissioners worry it could distract from other funding requests.

Scott Fitzwilliams took early retirement in 2025 after more than three decades with the U.S. Forest Service. He says the Trump administration's public lands policies amount to a deliberate dismantling of the system.