Four Corners

Host Stephen talks with Tessa Thomas-Peterson, Marine Corps veteran and founder of Four Corners Paranormal Investigations and We Are Paradox Media. From growing up in Cortez to building a life in Bayfield, Tessa shares her lifelong encounters with the supernatural, her decision to “come out of the paranormal closet,” and how she now helps others navigate mysterious and frightening experiences in the Four Corners.

Trail reporter Phil says it’s shaping up to be another great Four Corners weekend for mountain bikers and hikers, with cool temperatures, clear skies, and plenty of color still hanging on in the cottonwoods — plus a new local event for riders in Dolores.

October has been a good month for precipitation in the Four Corners.

Recent storms brought record rainfall across the Four Corners — with some areas seeing a third of their annual total in a single day — but drought conditions remain. Water users across the Upper Colorado River Basin are facing deep, uncompensated cuts, forcing widespread farmland fallowing and new pressure on long-term water management.

Measles, Covid, and influenza remain health concerns nationwide and in the Four Corners area.

With visitor centers and roads closed at Mesa Verde and other National Parks due to the federal government shutdown, KSJD’s Outdoor Report highlights ways to make the most of your time in the Four Corners — from local music and dining to art, museums, and community events.

Cool, sunny weather continues across the Four Corners with chilly nights and a gradual warm-up midweek before weekend rain chances return.

The federal government shutdown has reduced local tourism by about 20%, according to Mesa Verde Country CEO Brian Bartlett, though some visitors are still exploring the region’s fall colors and outdoor recreation. Mesa Verde National Park and nearby Utah monuments remain open in a limited capacity, while the Ute Mountain Tribal Park continues to offer select tours. Despite fewer visitors overall, Bartlett notes that visitor spending in 2025 is up compared to last year.

This past water year was dry, with not all of the snowpack making it into the basin's rivers and streams. Forecasters will be looking out for conditions driven by climate change and prolonged drought as they consider what Water Year 2026 will bring.

University of Montana Climate Office launches regional project to strengthen drought resilience while the Four Corners shifts its focus to snowpack