Outdoor Report

La Niña is expected to persist through early winter before fading by spring, bringing a mix of mild and uncertain seasonal weather patterns.

The Colorado River Indian Tribes grant personhood to the Colorado River, affirming its rights and cultural importance in a growing global movement.

Warm, dry weather continues through Thursday before a Pacific storm brings rain, mountain snow, and cooler temps heading into the weekend.

Utah’s Supreme Court has upheld a ruling rejecting a proposal to pipe 55,000 acre-feet of Green River water from Utah to Colorado’s Front Range. The long-debated project, led by Fort Collins developer Aaron Million and Water Horse Resources, would have sent water more than 300 miles across Wyoming. The court agreed with the state engineer’s finding that Water Horse must prove the water would be beneficially used in Colorado before any export can be approved. Conservation groups are calling the decision a major victory for the Colorado River, while Million says the project isn’t over yet.

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.

Today’s KSJD Outdoor Report takes us to the marble quarries of Mount Pentelicus in Greece — where ancient workers carved the fine white stone that became the Parthenon. Built in 447 BCE under Pericles’ leadership, the temple of Athena showcases a blend of Doric and Ionic design, precise optical refinements, and artistry that continues to inspire architecture around the world.

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

Today’s KSJD Outdoor Report takes a detour across the pond to the English countryside, where the Absolute Units podcast from the Museum of English Rural Life explores stories of queer life outside the city. In its new episode, “Queer Rural Lives: Searching the Archives,” hosts Ollie Douglas and Joe Vaughan talk with researcher Tim Jerrome about uncovering hidden LGBTQ+ histories in farm records and rural archives — and how museums can bring those voices to light.

A Flood Watch remains in effect through late tonight for the southern San Juans and nearby valleys, with several Flood Warnings still posted for rivers around Pagosa Springs. Rainfall totals of one to three inches were recorded over the past 24 hours, and while showers should ease this morning, scattered storms could redevelop by afternoon, bringing brief heavy rain, small hail, and gusty winds. Another system arrives Wednesday with additional showers, followed by a cold front Thursday that will cool temperatures by about ten degrees and drop snow levels to around 7,000 feet.

Hundreds of homes were evacuated over the weekend as flooding swept through parts of southwestern Colorado. The hardest-hit areas were Pagosa Springs and Vallecito, where creeks swelled to more than twice their normal spring runoff levels, damaging roads, bridges, and homes. Although evacuation orders have been lifted, more rain from Tropical Storm Raymond is on the way, and flood watches remain in effect across the San Juan Mountains and southern valleys.