Fostering is one of the most important ways that our community can help save lives. By offering your home, you give our pets who need a little extra love crucial time to truly show their personalities. The truth is, we don't know everything there is to know about our animals until they spend time in a home. Shelters are extremely stressful environments, and their behavior here is not representative of who they really are.
Foster homes are incredibly important for senior pets, long-term animals experiencing shelter stress, pregnant or nursing moms, and kittens who are too young to be adopted.
The best part? Fostering is completely FREE. We pay for everything: food, supplies, and any required medical care. All you need to do is give your time and love. You can save lives. Become a foster today!
If the Rio Grande Southern Railroad had ever been a profitable endeavor with the changing economy of its fledgling days, the “Galloping Goose” might never have been “hatched” to accommodate travel by rail in the remote and isolated regions of far southwestern Colorado. The railroad was conceived and built in 1890-91 by the unflappable “Pathfinder of the San Juans,” Otto Mears. It was over 160 miles long and ran from the town of Ridgway, Colorado on the north to Durango, Colorado on the south going through the towns of Telluride, Rico, Dolores and Mancos.
The RGS’s early revenues came mainly from the numerous silver and gold mines near Telluride, Ophir and Rico. Hauling hundreds of tons of precious metal ores and hundreds of passengers in and out of the area made the financial condition of the railroad extraordinarily strong for its first two and one-half years! However, the repeal of the Sherman Silver Purchase Act caused the Silver Panic of 1893, and silver prices plummeted. As a result, many silver mines were closed, people fled the area by the thousands, and the railroad slipped into its first receivership that same year.
TELLURIDE, Colo. — The Telluride Ski Patrol Union is entering its fourth day on strike. This comes after months of bargaining for a new contract.
The union is asking for a 35% increase in average patroller wage rates over the next three years, according to Telluride spokesperson Nancy Clark. The resort's "last best and final offer" would increase their rates by 23%.
The union rejected the resort's offer, leading the resort to close on December 27.
"The ski resort is actively working on a plan to safety reopen Lifts 1 and 4 as quickly as possible. A defined number of medical providers are needed in order to do that, so the resort has formed a recruitment team, led by industry professionals.The goal is to hire qualified and experienced personnel to temporarily fill the gaps, allowing the resort to open as soon as possible," Clark said.
We're in the middle of one of the busiest weeks for the slopes and Denver7 is learning the economic impact is hitting smaller mountain cities around Telluride, too.
"The strike is absolutely impacting local businesses. A common thing from all of these business owners is that both sides in the strike do not realize the collateral damage they are doing to the region's economy," Jon Hill, executive director of the Ridgway Area Chamber of Commerce, told Denver7 over email.
Ridgway is about 45 minutes north of Telluride and serves as a gateway to the ski town.
Hill spends time in both. He said things are getting contentious.
"Anywhere you go, you can go into mountain market, here in Ridgway and strike up a conversation without even trying, because everybody's talking about what's going to happen," Hill said. "Because, you know, here in Ridgway, a lot of the employees they work in Montrose, or they work outside of this immediate area, and they commute."
Hill said there could be tough decisions ahead for many local businesses that rely on ski traffic.
"Marty Frank owns Greenwood's. Marty said they have had multiple cancellations of catering gigs in Telluride because people are canceling their trips and events since they can't ski/ride," Hill said.
He shared more examples too.
Tellurides, a shuttle company owned by Andy Michelich, usually has 34 staff members operating 18 vehicles. Most of them are now sitting in a lot during what's normally the busiest time of the year for them, according to Hill.
"One business owner, he was telling me yesterday, if this goes on more than a couple weeks, he's got staff that they might need help getting groceries, and he's already creating a website and some resources for those employees to where, in two weeks, he's doing his best to help them get groceries," Hill said.
Ridgway Liquors, owned by Michi Countryman, may be forced to shorten hours and possibly lay off some staff. Sales are down 25% for December, according to Hill.
The Ridgway Area Chamber of Commerce is recognizing Fabula as our January 2026 Member of the Month. The Member of the Month program is an ongoing effort by the Chamber to provide residents and visitors information about businesses and organizations in the area and promote the patronage of our local resources and our small, independent companies. RACC recently had the opportunity to sit down with owner Sonja Horn to discuss how she personalizes her stores to fit the needs of the community.
Q: Please introduce yourself and your business?
A: My name is Sonja Horn, and I opened Fabula in Ridgway in May of last year. In addition to the Ridgway store, I also own Fabula in Montrose. That store opened in 2012.
Q. What inspired you to open a location in Ridgway?
A: It was not really my plan to open a secondary location, but I was approached by Susan Baker. She was looking for a tenant for her building and she thought Fabula would be a good fit.
Q. What is the process behind deciding what should be sold at Fabula?
A: The process of deciding what to sell is for the most part based on what I feel the community needs. In Ridgway I feel that it has to serve the locals, but also needs to be in part serving tourists.
Q. Do you have a section that you prefer picking items for more than others?
A: I would say that I enjoy picking seasonal home décor the most. It is challenging and fun to put it all together. First by visualizing it, and then putting it all together with my friend and co-worker Kristy Barrett.
Q. What has been the most rewarding part of serving the Ridgway community?
A: To me the most rewarding part of being in Ridgway is the positive customer feedback, hearing how much they appreciate the store being there and getting to know the people in the community.
