Northwest Colorado News for Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025

August 5, 2025 Shannon Lukens

By Shannon Lukens.

Fires continue to burn heavily in Rio Blanco County. There are closures and evacuations in the vicinity of the Lee Fire, which includes BLM land within the White River Field Office. Colorado Highway 13 in Rio Blanco County, south of Meeker and north of Rifle was closed Tuesday. Check CoTrip.org for updates. The emergency closures are in effect until the Lee Fire is controlled or the order is amended or rescinded. A map of the closures is on our website.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife has closed the following state wildlife areas to the public until further notice.

Smoke continues to blow into Northwest Colorado from the Rio Blanco County Fires. Check PurpleAir.com to see what the current Air Quality level is and how much you can be affected by prolonged exposure to smoke. It was in the mid 170s Wednesday which means some people may experience health effects within 24 hours of exposure, especially those in sensitive groups like the sick or elderly, or children.

More on the Story — Multiple fires are causing smoky conditions

The Meeker Summer Rodeo Series has been canceled for this week. The fairgrounds are being used as an evacuation area.

Each county has an emergency alert system, so that you can be notified in an emergency, or an evacuation, or road closures. Check with your local county’s website to find that link and make sure you sign up.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife has confirmed an uncollared wolf in Rio Blanco County has killed three head of livestock. The wolf is now classified as a “Chronic Depredator,” and it will be caught and lethally removed. But trappers can’t get into the area right now because it has been evacuated due to the Elk Fire. The confirmed killings from the wolf in Rio Blanco County were July 20, July 22, and Aug. 2.

More on the Story — CPW confirms uncollared wolf in Rio Blanco County is a “chronic depredator”

Local law enforcement, Routt County Emergency Management, Steamboat Springs Fire Rescue, and Steamboat Springs School District conducted an active assailant response training at Steamboat Springs High School Tuesday.

Gregory Griffin is the Patrol Operations Commander for Steamboat Springs Police Department. He helped organize the training for local law enforcement.

“It has showed time and time again that we’re going to fall to our lowest level of training when we’re put under stress. So the more we can work through these situations, to be able to fight through that stress and save lives, the better off we’re going to be if we ever have to face that worse case scenario here in Steamboat.”

Mo Demorat was on scene all day with the Routt County Office of Emergency Management.

“The vast majority of my time is spent trying to prepare the county for something that we hope never happens.”

Around 100 people were involved in the all-day training including school district employees.

Morning: An active shooter response simulation will take place at Steamboat Springs High School (SSHS).
Afternoon: A reunification drill simulating a family pickup after a crisis will take place at Yampa Valley High School (YVHS).

It was followed up with a mock press conference with local media.

No students were on campus during the exercise and no live ammunition was used. It involved a mock lockdown, sirens and emergency communications, role players acting as people who were injured, and an active shooter.

Those involved:

Routt County Sheriff’s Office
Steamboat Springs Police & Fire Departments
UCHealth/Yampa Valley Medical Center
Classic Air Medical
Steamboat Springs School District
Office of Emergency Management
Hayden Police Department
Local media

More on the Story — Local groups conduct emergency response training at SSHS

More on the Story — Local law enforcement to conduct response training at SSHS Tuesday

Yampa Valley Community Foundation has announced the 2025 Philanthropists of the Year.

Pete and Gretchen Van De Carr are honored with the Legacy of Philanthropy Award
Keith and Sandy Miller are the Individual Philanthropists of the Year
Dusky Grouse Coffee and Stephany Traylor are honored with the Business Philanthropist of the Year
Lyla Baker is the Youth Philanthropist of the Year

Memorial Regional Health in Craig has earned a re-accreditation from DNV, which is an international foundation and expert in assurance and risk management services, and that includes hospital accreditation. It’s from their annual survey about quality and safety in healthcare at MRH. One of the surveyors said MRH is one of the most impressive Critical Access Hospitals she has ever visited. A list of the specific highlights is at KRAIRadio.com

More on the Story — Memorial Regional Health honored by group that specializes in hospital accreditation

The Town Board of Yampa meets at 6 p.m. this evening. Agenda items include an introduction of the South Routt Housing Innovation Manager, Drew Blanchard. A Housing Demand Study will be presented with Routt County Commissioner Angelica Salinas and Emily Katzman from Yampa Valley Housing Authority.

Wednesday, Aug. 6 is the Town Challenge Mountain Bike Series.

Wednesday, August 6 is the Town Challenge MTB Race Series | Race #5 – Cow Creek Classic at Ridge/Rotary Trailhead
Online registration available until 11:30 PM on Tuesday, August 5
Race day registration available onsite at the Cow Creek – Ridge/Rotary Trailhead parking lot from 4:30-6 p.m.
Youth races start @ 5:20 PM with adult racing kicking off at 6:10 PM
$5 price increase for race day registration, save yourself time and money by registering online in advance
Lace up those sneakers – 5K Foot Division offered at every Town Challenge race this season!
Stick around after the race for a fun post-race social with free beverages from Storm Peak Brewing and sponsor giveaways
Visit townchallenge.com for more information and to register!

More on the Story — 2025 Town Challenge Mountain Bike Series begins June 11