Colorado is enjoying above-average snowpack on its typically drought-stricken Western Slope, which is good news but the winter’s not yet over.

Source: https://www.canoncitydailyrecord.com/2023/01/06/colorado-drought-snowpack-river-reservoirs/

For most of July, a high-pressure system brought warm temperatures to the Western Slope that also kept conditions dry, Bealo said.

Source: https://www.aspentimes.com/news/fingerprints-of-climate-change-found-across-colorados-rocky-mountains-amid-worlds-hottest-month-on-record/

It also means that the water is available for other downstream users on the Western Slope, including for endangered fish in the critical 15-mile reach of the Colorado River in the Grand Valley.

Source: https://www.aspentimes.com/news/river-district-inks-historic-water-rights-deal-for-western-slope/

National Democratic groups spent virtually no time or money in the contest in 2022 because they assumed Boebert would easily win reelection in her Republican-leaning district, which spans across the Western Slope into Pueblo and southeastern Colorado.

Source: https://www.gjsentinel.com/news/western_colorado/political-groups-to-target-boebert-in-2024/article_1b3f8708-d49d-11ed-a0d3-8fe6987fc315.html

Parachute, in western Garfield County, was one of the fastest-growing towns on the Western Slope, according to the 2020 U.S. census.

Source: https://www.aspendailynews.com/news/in-search-of-community/article_b41320b8-a213-11ee-a1f9-a3ba766bf637.html

Schierland encourages SNAP benefit recipients to contact Western Slope 211 to receive resource and referral information, such as a list of food pantries and food banks in the region as well as their days and hours of operation.

Source: https://www.gjsentinel.com/news/western_colorado/snap-benefits-to-be-rolled-back-locally-nationally-in-march/article_b7b13992-a25c-11ed-8868-179c89c17cc0.html

State Rep. Matt Soper, a Republican who represents part of the Western Slope in Boebert’s district, says he talks to both Boebert and Hurd regularly, and is not planning to endorse in the race so he can preserve his relationship with the winner.

Source: https://time.com/6328485/lauren-boebert-theater-beetlejuice-gop-primary/

The key for this team — recognized as the No. 2-ranked squad in 4A by its coaches, with nearly cherry-picked talent from across the Western Slope — is to not get overconfident and move forward as a unit.

Source: https://www.aspendailynews.com/news/gshs-hockey-splits-two-games-with-state-champs-get-wake-up-call/article_42fa94e0-8cae-11ed-af60-4ff448b4fb6a.html

The state’s analysis found that reducing rates paid to seven hospitals could bring all plans sold in Mesa County and 12 of 14 sold in other Western Slope counties down to the 10% threshold.

Source: https://www.canoncitydailyrecord.com/2023/06/11/colorado-option-premium-reductions-insurance-companies/

To learn more about the Food Bank of the Rockies Western Slope, visit https://www.

Source: https://www.aspentimes.com/news/in-brief-rescue-fun-helps-feed-hungry-trucks-move-off-rio-grande-for-nordic-skiers-covid-test-site-closing-saturday/

Western Slope residents especially look forward to fall, when the heat breaks and DeBeque Canyon sends a cool breeze.

Source: https://gazette.com/life/10-family-must-dos-for-a-perfect-colorado-fall/article_77d05ca8-d00c-11ed-9317-1fe1b3d70178.html

While the Front Range urban corridor and the Eastern Plains recorded only average heat, much of the Western Slope was far hotter than normal, with some places experiencing record-warmest average temperatures.

Source: https://kiowacountypress.net/content/tracking-extreme-heat-colorado-2023-more-record-highs-are-forecast