Cailey McDermott

Poncha Springs trustees heard three presentations and unanimously approved their three-item agenda during their Sept. 22 meeting.

From left, biologist Greg Policky and Colorado Parks and Wildlife employees Richard Markham and Sean Shepherd discuss on Sept. 24 the ongoing river restoration project that involves adding more than 200 native boulders to the river to improve fish habitat between the bridge on CRs 166 and 175. (Photo by Cailey McDermott)

Alicia McLeod, nutritional health coach at Natural Grocers, explains her job, which she loves, from her office chair Sept. 3. McLeod said her job is science-based informaiton and education for anyone who asks. (Photo by Cailey McDermott)

As Coloradans receive their ballots for the upcoming general election, they face a fundamental question about how the state balances its budget and funds its classrooms.

The Buena Vista Middle School eighth grade varsity football team poses for a team photo after winning the league championship game at home Oct. 6. The team won 30-28 in double overtime. Front row from left are: Fallon Walsh, Kannyn Schulze, Blake Taylor, Bode Kopp, Jayden Goodwin, Gabriel (manager), Marcus Espinoza, Lukia Garcia, Peter Martin, Roen Baird, Deacon Pikul, Christiano (manager), Adam Hart, Jacob LaGree and Milo Miller. Back row: Shane Garcia (coach), Gerry Strabala (coach), Oliver Reed (coach), Fernando Calvert, Jack Stromer, Teaguen Goodwin, Liam Kopp, Crosby LaGreca, Cody Charles, Mattix Chambers, Nicolas Valenzuela, Torr Rasmussen, Liam Puckett, Wyatt Whitmore, Oden Anderson, Dekker Sparrow, Jeremiah Flores, Jace Trujillo, MJ Jacquat, Campbell Koenig, John Jacquat (coach), Jared Todd (head coach), Ben Buschur (coach) and son Hank Buschur. (Photo by Scott Espinoza )

Bike & Ski Swap Fundraiser attendees, from left, Nicole Kaufman, Brandon Wolff, Everly Ridge, 12, and Liam Ridge, 8, look at snowboards sold by Brandon Slate with Rocky Mountain Outdoor Center Oct. 25, 2025 at Chaffee County Fairgrounds. Organizer Sacha Halenda estimated the event raised at least $2,000, which will be used for senior scholarships for the Salida high school mountain biking team. Slate said, "It was super cool; half the (ski) patrol showed up. It was good to see old faces."

This road in St. Elmo is currently being debated and litigated as to which entity owns it, Chaffee County or U.S. Forest Service. Ownership questions came up after the USFS installed a gate, as shown in the photo. A meeting about possible solutions happened in St. Elmo Oct. 15. (Photo by Cailey McDermott)

TJ McDaniel, Colorado Farm to Table farm manager and director, uses a knife to harvest a small green broccoli for a young farm visitor Sept. 4. McDaniels, with the help of three members of Salida Sunrise Rotary, filled a truck bed with cabbage, broccoli, summer squash and pie pumpkins Sept. 4. All the food was donated to The Grainery. Since 2006, Colorado Farm to Table has donated 2.8 million pounds of vegetables. Visit Coloradofarmtotable.org to volunteer, donate or become a member. (Photo by Cailey McDermott)

Andrith Davis and Michael Turley, members of the Monarch Mavericks Square Dance Club, earned gold and silver medals at the annual Huntsman World Senior Games in St. George, Utah, Oct. 6. Davis and Turley won gold in the random mainstream square dance and silver in the mainstream dance. (Courtesy photo)

Salida High School student Kaija Saari holds up an "I Voted" sticker designed by SHS junior Kaelyn Taylor. Saari is a student election judge this year. Another sticker that voters can choose was designed by Salida resident Douglas Light. (2024 file photo)