Montrose Fresh

Today: Former funeral home operator Megan Hess and her mother Shirley Koch, convicted in a body-sale fraud scheme, have been granted more time to file appeals challenging their twenty- and fifteen-year prison sentences. And later: Montrose County has reported its first West Nile virus death, with two local cases confirmed, prompting health officials to urge residents to take precautions against mosquito bites.Support the show: https://www.montrosepress.com/site/forms/subscription_services/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today: Montrose muralist Melissa McChristian has unveiled two new Townsend Avenue murals—one whimsical garden scene and one bold mountain design—blending personal meaning, community connection, and downtown revitalization. And later: Forty-five-year-old Arthur Lucas was arrested in Montrose on Sunday, suspected in a Grand Junction shooting that left one man seriously injured.Support the show: https://www.montrosepress.com/site/forms/subscription_services/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today: A Montrose man is accused of brutally assaulting and kidnapping a woman after a night of drinking on Sunset Mesa, leaving her with serious injuries and facing multiple felony charges. And later: On September 2nd, Bardic Trails features Crestone poet Peter Anderson, with the prompt “Mountains” and open sharing to follow.Support the show: https://www.montrosepress.com/site/forms/subscription_services/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today: Montrose County voters will decide in November whether to recall Commissioner Scott Mijares, after officials certified enough petition signatures to trigger a ballot question on his removal and potential replacement. And later: "The Montrose Regional Health Foundation" donated four thousand dollars to "River Valley Family Health Centers" to purchase blanket warmers, providing patients with comfort and helping prevent hypothermia during medical care.Support the show: https://www.montrosepress.com/site/forms/subscription_services/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today: The University of Colorado is hosting a free Community Info Night in Montrose to showcase its campuses, local partnerships, and financial aid resources for students and families. And later: Second Chance Humane Society is reopening its Community Veterinary Clinic, thanks to the arrival of Doctor Hannah Coenen.Support the show: https://www.montrosepress.com/site/forms/subscription_services/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today: Two Montrose parents have been charged with felony child abuse after allegedly scalding their infant son and delaying medical care for nearly thirty hours, leaving him critically ill. And later: At eighty-nine, Montrose local Charlie Winger is still climbing. This summer, he became the third-oldest person to reach the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s tallest peak.Support the show: https://www.montrosepress.com/site/forms/subscription_services/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today: Luke Shelton was sentenced to fifty-six years in prison for the 2024 murder of John David Vieira, whose grieving family remembered him as far more than a victim while condemning Shelton’s “evil act.” And later: The South Rim of Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park reopens August 18th, over a month after a wildfire burned over four-thousand acres and destroyed facilities, with limited access as recovery continues.Support the show: https://www.montrosepress.com/site/forms/subscription_services/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today: Billy Goat Hop Farm and Valley Food Partnership are hosting a movie-themed fundraiser this Friday with local food, craft beer, and a screening of "Son in Law" to support community agriculture in Montrose. And later: A Montrose man, Scott Flores, has been cited with eighty-four counts of animal cruelty after investigators removed nearly eighty horses, along with other animals, from his property following reports of dead horses.Support the show: https://www.montrosepress.com/site/forms/subscription_services/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today: A former San Miguel County deputy is wanted on multiple child sexual exploitation charges after investigators allegedly found illegal material on his devices, and he is believed to have fled to Mexico. And later: Montrose businesses, hit by cancellations after the Black Canyon wildfire, are banding together to remind visitors the town is open, full of adventure, and in need of local support.Support the show: https://www.montrosepress.com/site/forms/subscription_services/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today: Montrose County commissioners advanced stricter power-generation rules while keeping looser ones alive, fueling conflict over solar’s future. And later: Montrose police and firefighters joined the community for National Night Out, serving food, showcasing equipment, and building trust through a night of family-friendly fun.Support the show: https://www.montrosepress.com/site/forms/subscription_services/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today: Montrose County solar advocates are urging commissioners to end a moratorium and pass long-developed regulations that would allow renewable energy projects to move forward under clear, community-informed guidelines. And later: A Montrose County man faces animal cruelty charges after authorities found over a hundred neglected or dead animals on his property, following a tip from a child living there.Support the show: https://www.montrosepress.com/site/forms/subscription_services/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today: Montrose mountain biker, Laurie Brandt, claimed her fifth national title by winning the sixty to sixty-four age group at the "Mountain Bike Nationals", overcoming a tough course and intense heat. And later: A former San Miguel County deputy is wanted in Colorado for possessing child sexual abuse material and failing to report abuse, with authorities seeking public help to locate him.Support the show: https://www.montrosepress.com/site/forms/subscription_services/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today: A twenty-three-year-old Montrose man is facing a list of serious charges after a domestic violence call turned into a two-and-a-half-hour standoff with law enforcement. And later: US Representative, Jeff Hurd, visited the "South Rim Fire at Black Canyon of the Gunnison", where over four-thousand acres have burned since July 10th. He met with crews and pledged support, though details are still pending.Support the show: https://www.montrosepress.com/site/forms/subscription_services/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today: Hotchkiss residents are opposing a marijuana dispensary’s proposed move closer to a church-run school, after town officials approved an emergency rule reducing the required distance between pot shops and schools. And later: The Colorado State Patrol is in search of Karin Leal-Ruiz and Valentin Guelta in connection with a fatal July 6th hit-and-run on US Fifty that killed pedestrian Jodel Bitonio near Delta.Support the show: https://www.montrosepress.com/site/forms/subscription_services/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today: Montrose County and five others are urging the Interior Department to finalize a forty million dollar grant to secure Shoshone water rights, which they say are vital to the Western Slope’s agriculture, energy, and rural communities. And later: We're remembering Andrea Gibson, Colorado's poet laureate and a fierce advocate for LGBTQ rights, who passed away on July 14th at forty-nine.Support the show: https://www.montrosepress.com/site/forms/subscription_services/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today: The "Montrose County Fair and Rodeo" returns this month with ten days of family-friendly events, competitions, and community celebrations, including livestock shows, rodeo action, and new educational exhibits. And later: Montrose County approved a resolution to clarify how public safety sales tax funds are used—but not without controversy.Support the show: https://www.montrosepress.com/site/forms/subscription_services/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today: A fiery county meeting, a commissioner under fire, and a recall effort stirring political storms—this episode unpacks the battle brewing in Montrose County. And later: Montrose just welcomed two new faces to its police force—and celebrated a major promotion.Support the show: https://www.montrosepress.com/site/forms/subscription_services/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today: The City of Montrose is seeking to block a local church from using First Amendment protections in a legal battle over its now-closed homeless encampment, citing zoning and public safety violations. And later: Improvement Movement, an Atlanta-based folk-rock band with DIY roots and a dynamic live show, is set to open the Ridgway Concert Series this Thursday—and they’re a must-see.Support the show: https://www.montrosepress.com/site/forms/subscription_services/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today: Wherever Watersports brings self-serve kayak and paddleboard rentals to Ridgway and Crawford state parks, offering a convenient app-based system that lets visitors scan, pay, and paddle without needing staff or lines. And later: A thirteen-year-old boy is in custody after a shooting on Howard Fork Street in Montrose.Support the show: https://www.montrosepress.com/site/forms/subscription_services/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today: After more than a decade of success on Main Street in Montrose, Fabula is branching out. The beloved local shop, known for its eclectic mix of kitchen goods, toys, and self-care products, has officially opened a second location in Ridgway. And later: Waldo is hiding in Montrose this July, and the whole town is invited to join the search.Support the show: https://www.montrosepress.com/site/forms/subscription_services/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today: Montrose County remains without a manager after two of three commissioners voted against hiring their sole finalist, Bradley Mitchell, citing concerns over fit and process. And later: Authorities are investigating a fatal hit-and-run on US 50 near Delta, where a pedestrian was struck and killed by a yellow Chevy Cobalt whose driver remains unidentified.Support the show: https://www.montrosepress.com/site/forms/subscription_services/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today: Montrose County is delaying decisions on restoring public health services and partnering with Delta County on WIC until they get clearer details on funding, staffing, and logistics. And later: Montrose County residents are questioning the transparency and qualifications behind the likely hiring of Bradley Mitchell as county manager, urging greater public involvement in the decision.Support the show: https://www.montrosepress.com/site/forms/subscription_services/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today: A new law adding a judge to Colorado’s overburdened 7th Judicial District in 2026 aims to ease case backlogs, improve access to justice, and address long-standing staffing challenges. And later: The Montrose Recreation District is offering affordable, flexible swim lessons for all ages and abilities this summer to promote water safety, confidence, and fun.Support the show: https://www.montrosepress.com/site/forms/subscription_services/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today: Montrose activists and faith leaders joined a national campaign to protest due process violations in immigration enforcement, warning that constitutional rights are being undermined for all. And later: Montrose’s Fourth of July celebration features a full day of parades, family activities, live music, food, and fireworks—capped off with a pancake breakfast the next morning.Support the show: https://www.montrosepress.com/site/forms/subscription_services/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Montrose’s municipal judge was let go just weeks after ruling against the city’s request for an abatement order that would have shut down the Methodist Church’s camp for the unhoused.Support the show: https://www.montrosepress.com/site/forms/subscription_services/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today: Colorado is emerging as a national leader in quantum computing through the "Elevate Quantum Tech Hub", with local nonprofit "Homegrown Pathways" helping connect rural communities to career and education opportunities in this rapidly advancing field. And later: Ridgway’s free summer concert series returns to Hartwell Park every Thursday in July, blending diverse live music with a strong community spirit.Support the show: https://www.montrosepress.com/site/forms/subscription_services/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today: Two people were shot and hospitalized at a Delta home Sunday morning, while police negotiated with a barricaded suspect and urged the public to avoid the active investigation scene. And later: Colorado Parks and Wildlife now offers a fourteen dollar "Centennial State Park Pass" for income-eligible residents, providing thirteen months of access to all state parks and outdoor activities to promote health and nature connection.Support the show: https://www.montrosepress.com/site/forms/subscription_services/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today: Montrose County commissioners have decided to delay a vote on formally opposing the Gunnison Outdoors Resources Protection Act, aiming instead to join regional discussions about its impacts on water, timber, and local industry. And later: Two men died Monday morning when an experimental single-engine plane crashed shortly after taking off from Montrose Regional Airport.Support the show: https://www.montrosepress.com/site/forms/subscription_services/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today: Montrose has unveiled its first city-supported mural through Dart's grant program, transforming a once-blighted alley into a vibrant public art space and signaling more community-driven beautification projects to come. And later: Montrose's Truck Stop rally returned Thursday night with food trucks, local vendors, live music, and a community beer garden, drawing a strong crowd to Block 93. Support the show: https://www.montrosepress.com/site/forms/subscription_services/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today: Over two-thousand people gathered in Montrose for the "No Kings" protest to condemn what they see as rising authoritarianism under Donald Trump. And later: Mark Burns has been sentenced to two life terms plus forty-five years for the 2022 murders of Michael Arnold and Donna Gallegos in Paonia.Support the show: https://www.montrosepress.com/site/forms/subscription_services/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today: The Colorado Supreme Court ruled that biological grandparents lose legal standing to seek visitation if their grandchildren are adopted, even within the family, sharply narrowing the legal definition of "grandparent." And later: Montrose Commissioner Sean Pond is opposing the "Gunnison Outdoor Recreation Protection Act" as federal overreach, despite broad regional support and Montrose not being included in the bill.Support the show: https://www.montrosepress.com/site/forms/subscription_services/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today: Arts on Main, a new nonprofit art space in Delta, is set to open on June 19th, offering a dedicated venue to showcase and support local artists through rotating exhibits, community events, and educational programs. And later: A sixty-eight-year-old local man is in custody facing multiple felonies after allegedly breaking into his longtime partner's home, assaulting and attempting to strangle her, then fleeing and hiding from police.Support the show: https://www.montrosepress.com/site/forms/subscription_services/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today: The "Montrose Art Crawl", held every second Thursday, brings together local artists, businesses, and the community for an evening of art, music, and hands-on experiences in downtown Montrose. And later: Montrose County has delayed a decision on solar zoning rules until August, keeping its moratorium in place amid debate over solar's benefits, land use concerns, and calls for more public input.Support the show: https://www.montrosepress.com/site/forms/subscription_services/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today: Color and joy filled the Rotary Amphitheater in Montrose this weekend as nearly nine-hundred people gathered for the second annual Montrose Pride. And later: We're looking at the quiet, tragic end of a man who vanished from Colorado decades ago and was only identified after his death in Ohio.Support the show: https://www.montrosepress.com/site/forms/subscription_services/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today: Camp V in Naturita presses pause on its Planet V music festival as organizers explore new ways to blend art, music, and the outdoors. Later, while most ski resorts have closed for the season, a few dedicated skiers are still finding snow at Arapahoe Basin.Support the show: https://www.montrosepress.com/site/forms/subscription_services/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Montrose Classical Academy submits a revised charter school application, reigniting debate over school choice. Plus, two suspects are arrested after authorities seize ghost guns, drugs, and explosives in a major raid.Support the show: https://www.montrosepress.com/site/forms/subscription_services/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Teak Brockbank of Cortez is sentenced to 37 months in federal prison for making violent threats against election officials, including Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold. Then, in Montrose, visitors get a chance to explore the haunted Second Empire House during a special paranormal investigation.Support the show: https://www.montrosepress.com/site/forms/subscription_services/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Four Montrose breweries team up to create a signature pale ale that captures the spirit of the town. Then, a new mural by nationally known artist Jesse Melanson begins to transform East Main Street.Support the show: https://www.montrosepress.com/site/forms/subscription_services/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Colorado West Performing Arts Company is now Colorado West Ballet, embracing its identity while expanding its reach. And later, the Blue Lakes Trail closes for summer as part of a plan to protect the area and improve the hiking experience.Support the show: https://www.montrosepress.com/site/forms/subscription_services/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

More than three years after Michael Arnold and Donna Gallegos were gunned down in their Black Bridge Road home, trial of the man accused of killing them has begun. Mark Burns, a former tenant of Arnold’s, is charged with first-degree murder in the February 2022 slayings in rural Paonia. Even though prosecutors said he was the masked man recorded on surveillance footage firing shots, Burns maintains it wasn’t him and that he is innocent.Support the show: https://www.montrosepress.com/site/forms/subscription_services/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The turning point for Mirza Ahmed came as he worked a hospital internship during his medical studies. A professor noticed how affected he was by seeing hundreds of children sick with measles and the disease’s severe complications. It was, the new Montrose County Public Health director said Tuesday, a turning point for him, as he realized public health could help prevent devastating disease in the first place.Support the show: https://www.montrosepress.com/site/forms/subscription_services/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For years, Colorado General Assembly members representing rural communities maintained a somewhat unofficial alliance they jokingly called the "raucous caucus,” according to District 54 Representative Matt Soper. Now, albeit under a new name, the state’s new Legislative Rural Caucus brings together members of both houses and different political parties to represent rural interests. Support the show: https://www.montrosepress.com/site/forms/subscription_services/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Solar and other power generation facilities could be allowed in Montrose County, if county commissioners ultimately adopt an updated zoning amendment — one whose provisions would also address where and under what conditions natural medicine and massage therapy businesses could operate.Support the show: https://www.montrosepress.com/site/forms/subscription_services/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Montrose County is nearing a key decision on new rules that could open the door to solar and other power generation projects, but not without debate over land use, setbacks, and community impact. And later, Shirley Koch is once again appealing her prison sentence in the Sunset Mesa body-brokering case, reigniting one of the region’s most disturbing legal sagas.Support the show: https://www.montrosepress.com/site/forms/subscription_services/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week in Montrose: Dave Frank steps into his new role as mayor following a smooth leadership transition at City Hall, and Surf and Cycle kicks off its summer group rides with a free session at Electric Hills.Support the show: https://www.montrosepress.com/site/forms/subscription_services/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Massive federal cuts to AmeriCorps are leaving Colorado nonprofits in crisis—forcing tough choices in education, elder care, and conservation. And later, we reflect on the decades-long career of Dr. Mary Vader, a beloved Montrose pediatrician whose impact will be felt long after her retirement.Support the show: https://www.montrosepress.com/site/forms/subscription_services/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today’s episode tracks two unfolding stories: the Montrose community’s swift fundraising drive to support 22‑year‑old Luis Romero’s rehabilitation after an April 27 crash left him paralyzed, and CDOT’s overnight lane restrictions as crews apply final protective paint to the US‑50 Middle Bridge at Blue Mesa Reservoir.Support the show: https://www.montrosepress.com/site/forms/subscription_services/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today: This Saturday, expect big hats, big skirts, and even bigger personality as the Derby Day Pinup Pageant returns to Montrose! And later: Brenda Roberts, a 61-year-old woman who was reported missing over the weekend, has been found safe. That news came on Tuesday from the Montrose Police Department.Support the show: https://www.montrosepress.com/site/forms/subscription_services/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today, the City of Montrose and the United Methodist Church clash over a homeless encampment on church property. Later, the Dolphin House Child Advocacy Center marks 20 years of supporting children and families.Support the show: https://www.montrosepress.com/site/forms/subscription_services/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today, we visit Montrose’s first Goodwill store to learn how it’s helping the community beyond great deals. Later, we break down Colorado’s new Outdoors Strategy, a statewide plan to protect natural spaces and support recreation. Support the show: https://www.montrosepress.com/site/forms/subscription_services/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today, we’re covering the resentencing of Megan Hess and Shirley Koch, who ran a major fraud operation through Sunset Mesa Funeral Directors. Then, a look ahead to the Montrose Women’s Club’s annual Flea Market and Bazaar, happening this weekend at Friendship Hall.Support the show: https://www.montrosepress.com/site/forms/subscription_services/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.