FoCo Observer

Fort Collins’ independent local news

Friday, October 30, 2026 · Fort Collins, CO · Free

Fri, Oct 30 · 2 items

Tue, Oct 27 · 1 item

Wed, Oct 14 · 1 item

Tue, Oct 13 · 1 item

Article

Free Ranger Talks End Wednesday at Black Canyon, Shift to Weekends at Great Sand Dunes

Two of Colorado's national parks wind down their daily ranger-talk schedules this week, and Wednesday is the last day to catch one at Black Canyon of the Gunnison. At Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, both daily talks end their runs on Wednesday, Oct. 14. The 10 a.m. Geology Talk, offered daily since April, covers how the Black Canyon formed and what kinds of rocks make up its walls. The 2 p.m. Ranger's Choice Talk, daily since June, rotates through the park's huma…

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Updated Oct 13, 12:52 PM

Mon, Aug 3 · 1 item

Hermit Lake

Article

Smoke and Heat Advisories Cover Larimer County Monday; Smoke Traced to Out-of-State Fires

Two National Weather Service advisories cover Larimer County on Monday: a wildfire smoke health advisory running until 9 a.m. Tuesday, and a heat advisory for temperatures of 95 to 102 degrees that expires at 6 p.m. Monday evening. The smoke is not coming from Colorado. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment's advisory attributes it to out-of-state wildfires and warns that areas of moderate to heavy smoke are possible across the advisory area through at lea…

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Updated Aug 3, 6:24 PM

Wed, Jul 1 · 1 item

Article

Wildfires Near Colorado National Monument Prompt Stage 2 Fire Restrictions in Area Parks and Lands

Several wildfires are burning near Colorado National Monument, reducing atmospheric visibility and decreasing air quality. Stage 2 fire restrictions are in effect in some national parks and public lands in Colorado, including Black Canyon and Curecanti, which moved to these restrictions to reduce the risk of fire in the region. Recent fires in Colorado include the Williams Fire in Las Animas, the Mcinnis Fire in Mesa, and the Willow Fire in Lake, with the Willow Fire being t…

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Updated Jul 1, 6:39 PM

Thu, Jun 18 · 1 item

Fall River Pass

Article

Low Reservoirs and Fire Bans Shift Colorado Park Operations

Records from Curecanti National Recreation Area indicate that low winter snowpack and limited spring precipitation have resulted in lower water levels on Blue Mesa Reservoir. As these levels continue to drop, boat ramps and marinas at Elk Creek, Lake Fork, and Iola will be impacted. Concurrently, Black Canyon and Curecanti are implementing Stage 1 fire restrictions beginning at 12:01 a.m. on Thursday, June 18, 2026. These measures align with multiple state and federal partne…

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Updated Jun 18, 9:48 PM