Outdoor Recreation

Colorado Parks and Wildlife is seeking tips after four bull elk were illegally poached in Las Animas County. The reward is now $4,000 for information leading to charges.

This week’s Boggy Draw Report highlights great fall trail conditions, mild temps, deer safety reminders, and a fun weekend event for local riders.

KSJD’s Andie Ravensbergen talks with Sarah Burak, Education Director at the Bears Ears Partnership, about Bluff, Utah’s recent designation as an International Dark Sky Community and the town’s first-ever Dark Sky Festival on November 14th and 15th. Burak — a self-proclaimed “Dark Sky Enthusiast” — shares her passion for astronomy, community collaboration, and preserving the beauty of the region’s star-filled skies.

Stephen talks with Helen West of Cortez Tours about sunrise hikes, ghost tours, and uncovering the hidden stories of Cortez’s Wild West past.

Trail conditions around Dolores are looking great for the weekend, with hero dirt forming after recent rains and no storms in the forecast.

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 weekend's outdoor recreation conditions!

Lightning strikes millions of times each year across the U.S., especially in the Mountain West. Learn safety tips to reduce your risk, from sheltering indoors to staying low when storms roll in.

Public lands advocates are hoping to draw attention to proposed cuts to the National Parks Service and other land management agencies by visiting gateway towns in the West. One stop was in Grand Junction, Colorado, which has its own national park.

Critical fire weather continues in the Four Corners through Saturday, with strong winds, hot temperatures, and low humidity keeping wildfire danger high.