Thanks to a collaborative effort led by the U.S. Forest Service and the Arkansas River Watershed Collaborative, the threat of catastrophic wildfire is lessening around Monarch Pass.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture will invest $5.7 million in implementation of Chaffee County’s Community Wildfire Protection Plan, which maps where to treat forested lands to reduce risk at the highest cost efficiency and community benefit.

Retired Times and Denver Post outdoor writer Bob Good of Buena Vista has recovered from his auto accident well enough to elk hunt again. Successfully, we see.

The Hill Gang turned out in numbers to cheer the Buena Vista High School cross country teams Saturday in Salida.

Zaila Smith won the girls 5k Salida Cross County Classic race at Hutchinson Ranch in 20 minutes, 8 seconds.

Buena Vista senior Chandler Smethers finished tied for 73rd place after the 2-day Class 3A boys state golf tournament Monday and Tuesday.

Saturday morning’s starting temperature was 43 degrees, but by the time the podium placers crossed the East Main Street finish line, it was nearly 80.

The heat did not seem to phase the eventual champion, who made the kilometer half-century look like another day in the office.

Founded and run by Matt Balazs, On Trail Training returned to 14erFest’s Vendor Village for the weekend to offer more helpful advice to off-road enthusiasts.

Colorado 4x4 Rescue and Recovery representatives offered information not just on their volunteer group but also on backcountry communication tips in 14erFest’s Vendor Village.

14erFest’s Vitamin B group ride drew three locals Sunday morning.

The trio met at the Black Burro vendor tent on East Main Street before catching a ride to the entrance to Fourmile Recreation Management Area and making their way from there to the Vitamin B trailhead 6 miles north off CR 377.

Overall between weather and local focus, 14erFest could hardly have gone better it seems.

14erFest 2021 kicked things off with a 5k race on Friday, Sept. 24. About 30 people participated and Emily Roth put down the fastest time, finishing the race in a bit over 20 minutes.

Recent dry conditions prompted Chaffee County Sheriff John Spezze to implement Stage 1 fire restrictions effective at 8 a.m., Sept. 24 for unincorporated Chaffee County.

The long-range weather forecast predicts little to no moisture for Chaffee County, a press release stated.

The town of Buena Vista and Peak To Peak Pickleball Club took a major step toward funding six new courts adjacent to the existing tennis courts at the Buena Vista River Park.

14erFest is bringing dozens of events to Buena Vista this weekend, starting on Friday and continuing through Sunday. East Main Street will close to vehicle traffic from Colorado Avenue to Court Street to make way for a vendor village and meet-ups for dozens of events.

The town of Buena Vista and Peak To Peak Pickleball Club took a major step toward funding six new courts adjacent to the existing tennis courts at the Buena Vista River Park.

14erFest is bringing dozens of events to Buena Vista this weekend, starting on Friday and continuing through Sunday. East Main Street will close to vehicle traffic from Colorado Avenue to Court Street to make way for a vendor village and meet-ups for dozens of events.

The Buena Vista Classic high school cross country meet was held for the first time at McMurry Ranch in Nathrop Tuesday and BVHS boys and girls varsity teams both earned wins at the inaugural event.

Molly McMurry placed second for the Lady Demons with a time of 23 minutes, 42.5 seconds and Nate Plotner took first place in 19:10.40.

Buena Vista’s 14erFest returns Sept. 24–26 bringing a wide range of outdoor activities and events. 2021’s fest will be the fourth. Attendees grew from the low triple digits in 2018 to around 2,000 in 2019.

By D.J. DeJong

A bear that entered a home just east of Highway 40 in Steamboat Springs, trapping the residents inside, was euthanized by Colorado Parks and Wildlife after displaying aggressive behavior with responding wildlife officers.

The Chalk Creek Stampede time trials were held at McMurry Ranch in Nathrop Sept. 11–12. 22 teams sent almost 300 racers around the 13-mile course over 2 days. BV Racing entered 26 participants in the event. Salida Racing entered 27.

Chaffee County Search and Rescue-North capped off the high season with a daring night rescue at Chalk Cliffs on Sept. 7.

The group was also activated the following morning to respond to a medical distress call from the Three Apostles basin west of Mount Harvard. Both rescues were successful.

More than 15 schools will send racers to BVHS’s home cross country meet Tuesday, Sept. 21 when the Buena Vista Classic 2021 moves to a new course at McMurry Ranch in Nathrop.

Buena Vista brought home the Butch Braswell Invitational at Salida Golf Club and beat the event hosts on their home course with a 2-stroke victory.

Demon senior Chandler Smethers carded a medalist 77, finishing one stroke ahead of Salida freshman Avery Duquette

The annual Optimist Charity Golf Tournament at the Collegiate Peaks Golf Course drew 46 participants last month.

High Rocky Riders presented Colorado Off Road Enterprises founder Marcus Trusty with a $1,000 check at their recent meeting. Trusty said he started the stewardship group to do something positive for outdoor riders.

A siren cued the fishing lines to fly into the Town Lake at McPhelemy Park for the annual Kid’s Fishing Derby on Sept. 4.

A total of 69 fish were caught by the 107 kids registered for the event. 

The Chalk Creek Stampede returns to the McMurry Ranch in Nathrop Sept. 11-12 where BV Racing will open the Colorado High School Cycling League season opener.

BV Racing coach Taf McMurry says the event this weekend still needs volunteers and race marshals for both days. 

Buena Vista’s Zaila Smith won the 2A girls race at the Cheyenne Mountain Stampede (Pre-State) 2021 by almost 26 seconds.

Smith finished the 83-runner, 5,000-meter event in 20 minutes, 14.4 seconds, well ahead of runnerup Eliana Caucutt of Golden View Classical Academy’s 20:40.2.

The Demons golf team and Collegiate Peaks Golf Course hosted the second round of the Tri-Peaks League Tournament Tuesday.

Tournament medalist Chandler Smethers led the Demons to a third-place team finish. Smethers carded a 78 to finish 4 strokes ahead of a 2-way tied for second.

Rhonda Davis, left, presents a check for $5,000 on behalf of the Rocky Mountain Racquet Club to Jennifer Eggleston, receiving on behalf of the Peak to Peak Pickleball Club. The pickleballers are constructing courts north of the tennis courts.

The Greater Arkansas River Nature Association will present a Lifetime Achievement Award to Steve Reese, the first Colorado State Parks manager for the Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area, during GARNA’s 25th Birthday Bash Fundraiser.

Buena Vista cross country teams both finished eighth in the season-opening Battle Mountain Husky Invitational Saturday at the Minturn Nordic Center.

Buena Vista blew out the rivalry game in the fourth quarter, racking up 24 final points en route to a 47-0 home win over in the season opener Salida Aug. 26.

Children will once again be able to cast their fishing lures at McPhelemy Park for the annual Kids’ Fishing Derby on Saturday, Sept. 4.

The event is open to all girls and boys under the age of 15 for no entry fee. 

The BVHS Demons golfers have fared well this far on Colorado’s Western Slope.

For the third consecutive year, Colorado Parks and Wildlife is encouraging hunters to take a friend hunting. 

The 4-H Showmanship Round Robin at the Chaffee County Fair has received and will continue to receive sponsorship from the Miller family in the form of the Codi Miller Memorial Belt Buckle.

The Buena Vista Baseball Demons had four players selected to post-season all-state teams led by Cole Reavis, who was named to two teams.

Coming off its best season in years, the Lady Demons placed three players on the Class 2A all-state soccer team.

Buena Vista’s leading scorer, junior forward/midfielder Jamison Litvay, earned one of the dozen first team honors.

After a close second place finish in Fairplay and win in Buena Vista in this summer’s Triple Crown, Leadville local Marvin Sandoval and his miniature burro Buttercup won the long course race. Tracy Loughlin and burro Mary Margaret of Salida crossed the finish line shortly after.