TLN August 28, 2025

Citizen-initiated amendment to require voter approval for major Town of Telluride development projects is headed to the ballot, residents west of the Stoner Mesa Fire are at the "Set" stage of Read/Set/Go evacuation levels, Telluride Daily Planet sells to Florida-based media group, and Fourteeners traffic increases.

Stoner Mesa Fire grows to more than 6,600 acres, Hood Park Haven breaks record for most expensive single-family home sale in San Miguel County, Breckenridge Trail (aka Penelope's) gets rerouted and improved, and longtime local cyclist collides with deer on Lizard Head Pass.

Stoner Mesa fire jumps to hundreds of acres in size, former sheriff's deputy Jesus Damian Nieblas flees felony charges, international tourism declines across Colorado, and Telluride schools ban cell phone use during the school day.

Four Seasons developer under contract to purchase Rimrock hotel in Naturita, firefighters tackle small fires on Dallas Divide and Gray Head, San Miguel County Commissioners are considering a ballot measure that would allow them to reallocate lodging tax revenue, and diagonal parking makes international headlines.

Insurance premiums to increase by as much as 38% on the Western Slope, three new wolf packs are identified in Colorado, Telluride Town Council considers a ballot proposal for an excise tax on ski lift tickets, and there's a new weed maintenance strategy on the Valley Floor: goats.

Regional fires burn more than 30,000 acres, former deputy from San Miguel County Sheriff's Office is the subject of a CBI investigation, Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser is co-leading a lawsuit against the Trump Administration for withholding federal funding for education, and KOTO is celebrating a big birthday.

Many Coloradans will lose SNAP benefits under the budget bill, Colorado Parks and Wildlife asks for input on their moose management plan, Telluride Ski Resort takes control of their merchant pass program, and yes, it's true: you will no longer have to remove your shoes in the TSA line at the airport.

Happy Fourth of July from all of us here at Telluride Local News Network!

Fire temporarily closes Highway 550, Trump administration rescinds Roadless Rule protecting public lands from development, proposed budget cuts to the Land and Water Conservation Fund threatens conservation efforts including Lizard Head Pass land deal, and Search and Rescue teams get called out to Bridal Veil Trail twice over the weekend.