Local news
This map depicts watersheds where collared wolves in Colorado have been from September 22, 2026 - October 27, 2026. In order for a watershed to indicate wolf activity, at least one GPS position was recorded within the boundaries of the watershed. The activity this month has stayed west of the divide.  More details are in the accompanying newsletter.

Latest gray wolf activity map released by CPW

The October 2026 Collared Gray Wolf Activity Map was released last week by Colorado Parks and Wildlife. The map displays wolf activity throughout the state from Sept. 22 to Oct. 27. This map …

Nonprofit now owns Hartman Castle

After three years, and $675,000 raised from hundreds of donors and two state grants, Hartman Castle Preservation Corporation took ownership recently of the historic Hartman Castle, Gunnison's most …
Gunnison City Hall

Council talks customer assistance for water and wastewater

The Gunnison City Council discussed options for providing financial assistance to water and wastewater customers at its Oct. 27 regular meeting. Mayor Diego Plata introduced the discussion, …

Commissioners approve agreements for Whetstone and land conservation

The Board of County Commissioners met on Nov. 3 to hold their regular meeting and approve agreements regarding the Whetstone Housing Project and public lands.  The board unanimously …

Gunnison City Council approves two water project contracts

The Gunnison City Council approved two water and wastewater projects at its Oct. 27 meeting, including a contract to design an improved splitter box for the town ditch system and a replacement …
Event spotlight

Medicare presentation is Friday, Nov 13

If you are recently retired, planning to retire soon, already on Medicare and concerned about changes in 2027, thinking about Medicare, but not sure how many choices you'll have in Gunnison, or …

Things to do
People & Happenings
Music at Western Mountaineer Steel Band on Thursday, Nov. 12, at 6 p.m. All performances will take place at Quigley Hall in the Kincaid Concert Hall. Meet Superintendent Summers Are …
Western Colorado University School of the Arts exhibition
An exhibition titled “Intervention: Deconstructing the Photographic Image” opens this week in the Western Colorado University (WCU) Quigley Gallery. A community reception is slated for 5–7 p.m. …
Western Orchestra and Symphonic Band in concert tonight, Jazz group to perform on Thursday
Tonight at 6:00 the Western Music Program presents The Western Orchestra and Symphonic Band in concert. The concert is in the Kincaid Concert Hall on campus at Quigley Hall.  On Thursday …
Western Colorado University to Screen Two Films on Indigenous Stewardship, Land, and Water on Nov. 12
Western Colorado University’s Clark School for Environment and Sustainability and WCU Native American Advisory Council will present Rooted: A Story of Rematriation and River as Teacher on November …
Business Spotlight: Almont Resort offers Thanksgiving feasts for every table
Discover Thanksgiving dining options at Almont Resort, featuring take-home holiday feasts, traditional dinners at Bar 47, and a festive Thanksgiving buffet.
Sports

Volleyball season ends at region tournament for Cowboys

Gunnison senior Kaya Burnett is pictured at the net for the Cowboys during a match earlier this season.
The Gunnison High School Volleyball season came to an end with a second-place finish in the 3A Region 2 tournament hosted by Resurrection Christian last weekend.  On Saturday, Nov. 7, the …

Gunnison MTB Caps Remarkable Season with Near Podium Finish at State Championships

One point. That's all that separated Gunnison MTB from a spot on the Division 3 team podium at the Colorado High School Mountain Bike State Championships in Glenwood Springs.  Racing …

Western inducts 2026 Mountaineer Hall of Fame

The 1995 cross country team at the induction ceremony.

On Oct. 30, Western Colorado University held its annual Mountaineer Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremony to highlight exceptional Mountaineer athletes. The Hall of Fame Class of 2026 included …

Obituaries
Brent (Bub) Dale Didericksen
Brent (Bub) Dale Didericksen was born June 20, 1994, in Grand Junction to Brent and Jennifer Didericksen. He is survived by his loving wife and best friend, Lacy Didericksen (Henry); …
Grace Archuletta
Grace Archuletta was born on Aug. 13, 1923 and passed away in Gunnison on Oct. 1, 2026 at the age of 103.  Grace was the daughter of Andrew and Tillie Archuletta. Both parents were born in …
Terrie Garrett
Terrie Garrett (born Terrie Wilson), born Oct. 16, 1962, in Gunnison, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Oct. 19, 2026, at her home in New Mexico, where she lived with her husband of more than 20 …
Michael J. Schaefer
Michael J. Schaefer, 67, of French Village passed away peacefully on Friday, Oct. 23, 2026, at his residence. He was born Feb. 4, 1959, in Phoenix to Orville and Laverne (Steffens) Schaefer. He …
James Michael “Ralph” Marra
James Michael Marra, known to everyone as “Ralph,” was born on Nov. 22, 1948, in Morristown. He was raised in Ramsey with his older sister, Patricia (Tricia) Marra Hartigan, his younger brother, …
Opinion
Columns

Remembering those who serve

Yesterday, at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, communities across the nation, including Gunnison, paused to honor those who have served in our nation's armed forces. In Gunnison, …

Guest Viewpoint: Contain a wildfire? Call in the cows

When fire commanders try to figure out how to contain a major wildfire, the last thing you might expect them to deploy is a herd of beef cattle. But during the recent Gold Mountain Fire in western …

Real liberty

Like it or not, artificial intelligence is being foisted upon us. I think we can all see the writing on the wall – the day is coming when every car, computer, phone and other electronic device will …

Gunnison's strength Is who we already are

Through June, City of Gunnison sales tax collections were up 5.35% year to date. But that number needs context. City Finance Director Ben Cowan noted that collections from the City's top 20 …

Hope for the gray days

Do you struggle sometimes, often, or always with darkness and discouragement?  Me too. There is no shame in feeling darkness and discouragement. It is so common, even among people of deep faith. …
Letters to the Editor

Morality won over politics

Editor: Congratulations to the Protect Kids Colorado (PKC) movement for working to get Proposition 133, 134 and 135 initiatives on the ballot and then passed statewide in last week’s election. …

‘Don’t talk to us about affordability anymore’

Editor: To those who voted for the two tax increases (Amendment 87 and Proposition NN) that were on the ballot, please don't talk to us about affordability anymore. You basically handed over …

We helped make blue tsunami happen

Yes, it was a blue tsunami. Yes, we have a mandate to help working people, and yes, we helped make it happen. And it happened only because of the largest number of Gunnison County Democratic …

‘God’s desire is to bless and heal America’

Editor: In America we have much to be grateful for. We are privileged to live in a country with God as the true founder. He gave people the genius and dedication to create the documents …

A note of gratitude

As we are now in November and Thanksgiving is just around the corner, I wanted to send a note of gratitude to some amazing people who go above and beyond in our community. The people I'm referring to …
Features
From left to right, Sherry Ford, Brad Baca, Sue Oates, Nancy Lovendahl, and Chris Klein hold hands and stand on the newly installed sculpture "THe Gathering." (Submitted photo)

The gravity of The Gathering

To make her sculpture, The Gathering , look like the excavated skeleton of a prehistoric creature, artist Nancy Lovendahl started with 40 tons of Cottonwood limestone. But it isn’t the …
The nonprofit Gunnison Arts Center currently has a donor who will match donations made to the center as part of Colorado Gives Day.

Colorado comes together for giving

Colorado Gives Day is Dec. 8, and the giving period has begun. Through Dec. 8, Coloradans can support the nonprofits they love as part of Colorado’s largest and most impactful giving event. Created …
Kent Viles with a Dobrato guitar.

Dobrato Resophonic closes doors

After 50 years of serving the community, Kent and Chris Viles of Dobrato Resophonics are retiring. Kent and Chris met in 1971 when attending Western Colorado University. Kent was studying art …
Gary Scott Stephens with his book, “Valley of Castles, Cattle, & Coal.”

A history of castles, cattle and coal in the Gunnison Valley

Years of research into the people, places, industries, and stories of Colorado’s Ohio Creek Valley have earned author and geologist Gary Scott Steffens top honors at the 2026 Collective of …
In case you missed it
Writers on the Range
The country just held an election centered on the high costs of living. The electorate spoke loudly and clearly.   Americans are equally clear about their love of public lands and the …
Western Accounting Club Gets an Inside Look at a Changing Profession
Like a lot of careers, the business of accounting is going through a period of intense change, as consolidation and new technologies introduce some uncertainty into an industry long known for …
Western’s new master of applied ethics helps turn values into action
Finding work that pays the bills is one thing. Finding work that reflects your values, contributes to your community, and provides a meaningful livelihood can be something else entirely. A new …
Loving our veterans in the Gunnison Valley
Loving life is a passion we may share even if we don't know one another.   Here in our meandering valley, life is beautiful, interesting, and sometimes uniquely difficult. We know this …
Gunnison Middle School musicians in stellar concert
On October 27 in Taylor Hall on the campus of Western Colorado University, the musicians of the Gunnison Middle School dazzled the audience with a variety of songs. under the direction of Peter …
Special Sections
Hunting in Gunnison Valley 2026

Cattlemen's Days 2026

Gunnison Country Magazine

Gunnison Homes and Gardens 2026

People's Choice Awards 2025

Cattlemen's Days 2025