By Shannon Lukens.
Happy New Year and welcome to 2026.
The Tri-State Generation and Transmission Station in Craig is likely staying open, according to an emergency order from Secretary Chris Wright with the Department of Energy. It has been ordered to stay available for operation until March 30, 2026. It’s to help prevent blackouts. The order was issued Tuesday night.
The order says that an emergency exists due to the shortage of electric energy and the facilities to generate it, such as the electric generating facility in Craig
The law only allows for 90-day increments, so it could be extended past March 30.
Craig Unit 1 was scheduled to close at the end of the year.
- More on the Story — Craig Unit 1 to stay open
- U.S. Department of Energy Press Release — Energy Secretary Ensures Colorado Coal Plant Remains Open to Prevent Blackouts
- Colorado Sun — Tri-State expects federal order to keep coal-fired power plant in northwestern Colorado running
File photo.
The Colorado State Housing Board has approved more than $23 million in new investments for homes across the state. That includes $1.6 million in Housing Development Grant funds to Hayden Municipal Housing Authority for eight units for the local workforce. That includes police, firefighters, teachers, and their families.
Governor Polis has appointed two residents of Northwest Colorado to the 14th Judicial District Nominating Commission. There are Tim Wohlgenant of Steamboat Springs and Cassandra Baca of Hayden.
Most offices and businesses are closed for the New Year’s Day holiday. Moffat County offices are closed today and Friday. Routt County offices are closed today but will reopen on Friday with normal business hours. Yampa Valley Electric is closed today. Offices for the 14th Judicial District are closed today and will be open on Friday. LiftUP of Routt County is closed today, but will be open on Friday.
If your regular residential trash day is today, on Thursday, there is no pickup in Craig. Pickup will be on Friday. But there IS regular pickup in Steamboat Springs on Thursday, New Year’s Day.
St. Michael’s Church in Craig is hosting a Community New Year’s Day Dinner on Thursday. Enjoy a delicious holiday meal from 2:45-4:30 p.m. Grab-n-Go boxes are also available until five p.m.
Courtesy photo of the Knoll Lot
The MusicFest tent will be going up, starting today in the north portion of the upper Knoll Lot, so parking will be restricted. The festival tent will be there through Jan. 15. The lower Knoll Triangle Lot closes Monday. Free parking will still be available on the eastern half of the Knoll Lot and the Meadows Lot. Paid parking is available in the Gondola Square parking Structure. The City of Steamboat Springs also offers free bus transportation between the resort and downtown and most condominium locations.
Uphill access is permitted at Steamboat Resort starting tomorrow. You’ll need an Uphill Access Armband. The Steamboat resort website has designated routes and closures that will be listed.
More on the Story – Steamboat Resort opens uphill access this Friday
Celebrate the New Year outside with a First Day Hike at one of Colorado’s state parks. In Northwest Colorado, there’s one, and it is at Stagecoach State Park. It is for all ages and it starts at 1 p.m. today. No registration required. Organizer: Kelsey Kehm, 970-736-2436, kelsey.kehm@state.co.us
Colorado Parks and Wildlife First Day Hikes
Three local Steamboat Springs girls stopped by The Veterans Center Wednesday, to make a donation of $48. They raised the money by taking donations for hot cocoa and brownies in the Heritage Park neighborhood earlier this week.
The girls said they have a very generous neighborhood.
Jeff Steck, the president of the local Veterans Center, says the money will be used for the Veterans Assistance Fund.
The Veterans Center is newly renovated, at 924 Lincoln Ave. It’s open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday.
The Veterans Center of Steamboat Springs
More on the Story – Three Steamboat Springs girls make a donation to The Veterans Center
Here’s a friendly reminder if you’re flying out of Yampa Valley Regional Airport – HDN. Get there with plenty of time during this busy holiday season. Bags must be checked 45 minutes before domestic flights and an hour before departure for inte