Four Corners

Mild temperatures and low winds should make for a good weekend outside, but riders and hikers should watch for muddy sections and respect seasonal trail closures.

The Christmas Bird Count returns on December 14, with official counts at Bears Ears, Cortez, and Durango. Volunteers of all experience levels are invited to help track winter bird populations across the region.

Phil checks in with early winter conditions around Boggy Draw, Lizard Head Pass, and Rico — including muddy trail closures, first ski tours of the season, and what riders and skiers can expect this weekend.

LP McKay with KSJD speaks with Matt Keefauver with the Montezuma Leadership Network about the long-running Leadership Montezuma program, how it connects residents to the systems that keep Montezuma County running, and why bringing people together matters now more than ever.

A look at early December snowfall across the Four Corners: Cortez picked up just under an inch, with similar totals in Dove Creek, Mancos, and Dolores, while Durango saw around two inches and Bluff only a trace. Regional snowpack sits at about 70% of normal so far, with more snow still falling. The Colorado Avalanche Information Center reports moderate danger above the tree line, and today’s storm is expected to change conditions quickly — making it a good day to avoid the high country.

Turner Wyatt discusses Begin Where You Are, a first-of-its-kind anthology featuring all 10 Colorado Poets Laureate, including new unpublished works.

Long winter nights bring bright planets, a strong meteor shower, and some of the best stargazing of the year.

A family from Colombia whose arrest by ICE prompted a protest in Durango is reportedly preparing to self-deport.

This week’s Water Wednesday Outdoor Report looks at early-season snowpack levels across the San Miguel, Dolores, Animas, and San Juan basins, recent precipitation totals around the region, and how upcoming moisture may influence drought conditions.

Mountain snow and colder temps continue today across the Four Corners, with more chances for rain and snow returning midweek.