tourism

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

In this episode, Stephen sits down with Laine Johnson, founder of Horsefly History Tours in Durango, Colorado. A former wildlife biologist and park ranger turned storyteller, Laine shares how she swapped tracking mountain lions for uncovering Durango’s untamed past. From ghost walks and Wild West tales to her spirited BOOze & Bites tours, Laine brings humor, heart, and a true sense of place to her work. Discover Durango’s wild side and learn how history, haunts, and local flavor come together in Horsefly History Tours.

In this episode of Dark Canyon Chronicles, host Steven sits down with ghost tour guide Joe Nelson to explore the haunted history of Durango and Mancos, Colorado. From chilling encounters at the Elks Lodge and Boot Hill Cemetery to eerie happenings in the Reitzman House and a historic schoolhouse, Nelson shares stories that blend mystery, history, and respect for the spirits of the Southwest.

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.

The good news is, you can now get into Mesa Verde National Park for free. The bad news is, not much of the park is open.

Visitation at Mesa Verde has been down by a little less than 4 percent this year.

Rural communities in the Rocky Mountain West, like Leadville, rely on federal funds for climate resilience, including wildfire and storm mitigation. However, Trump-era cuts threaten these efforts.

"Getaway" podcast explores how outdoor recreation drives rural economies in the Rocky Mountain West, highlighting housing challenges and sustainable tourism efforts in communities like Moab and Cortez.

A Colorado resort town reliant on summer visitors has halted tourism marketing because an affordable housing crisis means businesses don't have enough workers to stay open during their busiest season.

As pandemic restrictions loosen, tourists flock to Jack Sprat, a restaurant in Girdwood, Alaska. But like many businesses in resort towns, it's having trouble hiring servers as the economy rebounds.