By Shannon Lukens.
Moffat County Sheriff KC Hume has announced his retirement, after 11 years as sheriff. His last day is July 2. He will be working at Yampa Valley Regional Airport as the Superintendent of Operation Safety and Security.
Moffat County is under a Red Flag Warning today until noon. The warning was in effect also for South Routt and Eagle counties on Thursday. Yampa Valley Electric will be in Fire Protection Mode in Moffat County until that Red Flag Warning is lifted. It means power lines will instantly stop the flow of energy if there is an issue, such as a tree branch touching the line. YVEA members will be notified.
More on the Story – Red Flag Warning for Moffat, Routt, and Eagle counties
The Department of Local Affairs recently gave awards through the Rural Economic Development Initiative (REDI) program to rural Colorado communities to boost local economies and support small business owners. The Moffat County Geothermal Equipment Project was awarded over $62,000 to purchase necessary equipment that will help expand operations and support a just transition in former coal mining communities. This will be the first dedicated geothermal drilling service in Northwest Colorado.
The Routt County Commissioners have sent a strong letter to the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. It’s about their strong opposition to the “Lee Amendment,” which is part of what is being called the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act.” It says land in the National Forest System and Bureau of Land Management could be sold for affordable housing. Routt County Commissioners say local governments should have a Right of First Refusal for the sale, where the wording says it “may” be provided. That letter is on our website.
An article from “The Wilderness Society” says total acreage of land available for sale in Colorado would be 14,352,632 acres of public lands, including local recreation areas, roadless areas, and wilderness study areas. It also shows that nearly all of the public land in Routt County that is not protected as wilderness, could be sold. This includes land at Steamboat Ski Resort, Buff Pass, and Hahns Peak.
More on the Story — Routt County Commissioners respond to possible selling of wilderness land in Routt County
The Wilderness Society – 250+ million acres of public lands eligible for sale in SENR bill
Yampa Valley Bugle — Hahns Peak, Buff Pass, more Routt County public lands could be for sale in ‘Big Beautiful Bill’
A Routt County Fair Royalty Clinic is at noon on Friday, June 20. This is at the Routt County Fairgrounds in Hayden. 2025 Routt County Fair Queen Taylor Clyncke will be there to help. The clinic is open to all interested girls for both traditional and princess roles.
The Steamboat Springs Pro Rodeo series starts Friday night and runs every Friday and Saturday through August 23. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. and the rodeo starts around 7:30 p.m. Tickets are at F.M. Light & Sons or at the gate, or online at SteamboatProRodeo.com
More on the Story — Steamboat Springs Pro Rodeo Series starts Friday, June 20
The North Park Never Summer Rodeo is June 20-22. This is in Walden, in Jackson County. The parade is at 10 a.m. Sunday, June 22. The theme is Pioneering Women. This is the 83rd year for the North Park Never Summer Rodeo.
The UCHealth Jan Bishop Cancer Center is hosting an event from 4-6 p.m. today at Strings Music Pavilion. It’s in recognition of National Cancer Survivors Month. Patients and survivors, and families and caregivers are invited. Free radon kits and smoking cessation resources will be available.
Saturday…
The Elkhead State Park Fishing Tournament is Saturday, June 21, through Sunday, June 29, at Elkhead Reservoir, east of Craig. There are no size or bag limits on northern pike and smallmouth bass at Elkhead Reservoir, and anglers have a chance to win multiple awards and more than $10,000 in prizes for legally harvesting these species during this nine-day tournament.
Elkhead Fishing Tournament Details:
- Event Start: Saturday, June 21 at 6:30 a.m.
- Event End: Sunday, June 29 at 2:30 p.m.
- Location: Elkhead Reservoir State Park
Stay in the know on event details by visiting Elkhead State Park’s website.
Registration before the event is not required. There is no tournament entry fee, but an Annual Keep Colorado Wild or $10 daily state park pass is required to enter Elkhead State Park. Anyone 16 years or older is required to have a valid fishing license.
The Celebration of Life for Josephine Semotan is at 11:30 Saturday, June 21, at the Semotan Ranch, 23495 County Road 56 in Steamboat. Jo was the lady in the famous barn poster with two horses in front of Mt. Werner. She died last November at age 85.
https://blog.steamboat.com/the-making-of-the-steamboat-barn-poster/
Saturday, June 21, is Town Cleanup Day in Oak Creek. It’s from 8 a.m. to noon or until the dumpsters are full. Dumpsters are at the Oak Creek Public Works facility at 618 Lillian Lane. The cost is $10 per truckload. Some things are not allowed and that list is on our website. This is for Oak Creek residents only.
The Steamboat Springs Running Series has a race on June 21. It’s the Howelsen Hill Trail Run. It’s a 4-mile and an 8-mile trail run around the trails on Emerald Mountain. Register at www.RunningSeries.com This is a benefit for the Knights of Columbus that does a lot of work with Special Olympics. Kids 16 and under are $15. There is a raffle and food after each event.
Saturday night…
The first Free Summer Concert of the season is Saturday, June 21. Andy Frasco and the U-N takes to the stage at the Howelsen Hill Amphitheatre, presented by The River 98.9. The opening band is Graham Good and the Painters. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. Walk, bus, or bike to the show and come hungry and thirsty as there are plenty of food and drink trucks and vendors.
More on the Story — 2025 Steamboat Free Summer Concert Series
The Toponas Hall and Community Club is hosting their annual dinner and dance summer party. Social Hour starts at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, June 21, followed by dinner and dancing. Jarrod Sterrett and The Hired Guns are playing. Cost is $20 for adults, $10 for children, and $50 for a family. It’s $10 cover charge for the band only. Pay at the door. Reservations are appreciated by not required. A QR Code is on our website. The address of Toponas Hall is 1000 Highway 131.
LiftUp of Routt County has added Saturdays for donations to be accepted. The Donation Center will be open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. starting tomorrow. It’s also open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Wednesdays and Fridays.
Friends of Pete Van De Carr are organizing a two-day event to help his wife, Gretchen, clean up some of his unfinished projects on their property. The address is 28530 Whitetail Lane. A dumpster will be loaded, the barn and sheds will be cleared, and some yard work, cleaning, and painting will be done. Reach out to Cam Boyd at 970-846-8100 if you can help.
Check out what’s happening in the Yampa Valley on the Community Calendar on our website.
For the KRAI Time, Temp, and Weather Hotline, call 970-824-1918.