Garfield County

In Garfield County, 28% of the population is Hispanic, but that group represents 38% of confirmed COVID-19 cases. A group of local Hispanic community members was one of six across the country that gave input used at the National Forum on COVID-19 Vaccine, presented by the Centers of Disease Control this week.

Confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Garfield County plus the number of deaths due to the virus have surpassed those in Eagle and Pitkin counties KDNK’s Amy Hadden Marsh has this update.

A study from the Pew Research Center shows that one-third of U.S. voters are not confident about how mail-in ballots are tallied. But, at a recent election judge training, Garfield County Clerk and Recorder Jean Alberico said the County has checks and balances in place to ensure an accurate count.

Garfield County residents west of Rifle have a new option for public transportation, the Parachute Area Transit System, or PATS. KDNK’s Lucas Turner has the details.

Mountain Voices Project hosts an accountability session with Garfield, Eagle, and Pitkin county commissioner candidates on Tuesday, October 13, at 6:30 PM. KDNK's Raleigh Burleigh spoke with English in Action Executive Director Lara Beaulieu about this bilingual, virtual event. Click on the headline to find registration information.

Garfield County Commissioner Mike Samson has lived in Rifle for most of his life and worked for the RE-2 School District for 20 years. KDNK spoke with Samson about running for his fourth term. Tune in tomorrow for an interview with Commissioner Samson's challenger Leslie Robinson.

First elected in 1996, Garfield County Commissioner and Chairman John Martin is running for his 7th term. KDNK spoke with John Martin about how he got started, what he's proud to have accomplished, and what his priorities are for Garfield County going into 2021. Stay tuned for interviews with his challengers Beatriz Soto and Brian Bark, as well as District 3 candidates Mike Samson and Leslie Robinson.

Grand Valley Citizens Alliance chair Leslie Robinson is running for Garfield County Commission's District 3 seat. She spoke with KDNK about her vision for the county's future.

Architect and organizer Beatriz Soto is running with the Democratic Party for Garfield County Commission's District 2 seat. She spoke with KDNK about what prompted her to join the race and the changes that she seeks. Stay tuned for interviews with unaffiliated challenger Brian Bark, as well as District 3 candidates Mike Samson and Leslie Robinson.

Glenwood Springs Lawyer Colin Wilhelm is running for House District 57 as a Democrat this election. He spoke to KDNK's Lucas Turner about economic recovery after COVID-19, energy, water issues and more.

Representative Perry Will is running as the Republican incumbent for Colorado House District 57 this election. He spoke to KDNK's Lucas Turner about healthcare, economic development, energy, water issues and more. 

While the Pine Gulch and Grizzly Creek Fires continue to grow in size, what about the smoke they're creating? Well, that can’t be measured in acres. KDNK’s Kathleen Shannon has more.

The Town of Carbondale Planning and Zoning Commission met August 13 for a virtual hearing regarding a proposed development project along Highway 133. KDNK’s Kathleen Shannon has the details.

Coronavirus cases in Garfield County spiked during the month of July, averaging 81 new cases per week from June 29th to July 26th. Now that trend seems to be heading in a more positive direction. KDNK’s Lucas Turner reports.

Mystery seeds are arriving in the mail in Colorado and Garfield County. KDNK’s Amy Hadden Marsh has this report on how the county and the state are handling the situation.  The Colorado Department of Agriculture's Mystery Seed Hotline is 303. 869.9081.

The Weekly News Reel takes a look at the top local and regional news stories aired on KDNK between Monday and Friday. This week’s news includes COVID in the county and impacts on the Latino community, and Bureau of Land Management under fire.

Garfield, Eagle and Pitkin counties Thursday announced a coordinated regional testing strategy for COVID-19. For links to testing information by county, click the headline.

The rise of COVID-19 cases locally is affecting the Latino demographic with notable prominence. KDNK's Raleigh Burleigh has more on why this might be.

As confirmed cases of COVID-19 surge locally, Mountain Voices Project seeks government support for its Landlord/Tenant Housing Recovery Plan. Pat Morrissy describes the iniative.

Garfield County health officials have seen a spike in new cases of COVID-19  in the past week, which could put the County’s variance from the state in jeopardy. The county is now at 244 cases since the pandemic began, with 44 diagnosed between June 8th and the 21st.

A public letter penned to Garfield County Commissioners asks that county resources be made more inclusive during times of crisis and otherwise. Beatriz Soto, founding board member of Voces Unidas de las Montañas, explains the new organization's purpose and their requests of local government.

The “Safer At Home” orders issued from the State will begin on April 27th, 2020. Garfield County wants to give local businesses and agencies time to review the Garfield County Roadmap Criteria and complete a plan for their agency using the Garfield County Business Social Distancing Plan guidance.

Businesses and agencies in Garfield County should determine if they are high, medium, or low risk, complete the “Garfield County Business Social Distancing Plan”, and submit the form online at: www.garfield-county.com. 

  A Garfield County Jail inmate was discovered in her cell Tuesday after an apparent suicide. Garfield County Sherrif’s office says the woman, Laura Ebbs, used parts of her clothing to hang herself. Deputies on the scene attempted to revive Ebbs using CPR and an AED. She was then transported to Valley View Hospital where she received additional care. On Friday her life support was suspended and she passed away.

Post Independent reporter John Stroud has covered the Roaring Fork Valley for 30 years. Since the outbreak of COVID-19 his journalistic output has been as prolific as ever. He spoke with KDNK's Gavin Dahl about interviewing the first person to test positive for COVID in Garfield County, how the Roaring Fork School District is handling the crisis, the 9th Judicial District putting eviction and foreclosure proceedings on hold, and more. 

Garfield County is working on what are called “1041 regulations” for new mining permits. But, what exactly are 1041 regulations? KDNK’s Amy Hadden Marsh has this report.

Regional health officials in Garfield, Eagle, and Pitkin counties are asking residents to self-report their symptoms as a way of measuring and responding to the spread of COVID-19. KDNK’s Lucas Turner spoke with Becky Larson, Epidemiologist for Eagle County Public Health and Environment to learn more about how these tools work.

A Garfield County woman in her 70s who tested positive for COVID-19 died Saturday. Garfield County Health officials say the woman had other significant health conditions, and that more countywide test results are pending. Pitkin and Eagle Counties also reported COVID-19 deaths on Friday, both have now reported two each. Click the headline for more details.

Garfield County Commissioners unanimously approved a 100 thousand dollar emergency grant Monday to local food assistance non-profit LIFT-UP. KDNK’s Lucas Turner reports on what the funding means for local food access during the coronavirus pandemic.