1 year ago: Dam at Wolford Mountain Reservoir no longer considered to be at risk of failing

In the 2000s, staff at the Colorado River District raised alarm bells that the Ritschard Dam — which was constructed in the mid-1990s to impound Wolford Mountain Reservoir outside of Kremmling — was moving and settling. At the March 4, 2025, Grand County Board of Commissioners meeting, river district officials said the results from the latest evaluation of the dam has led them to conclude the dam’s settling was no longer cause for alarm.

— From the March 19, 2025, edition of Sky-Hi News

5 years ago: Ex-police chief pleads guilty to misconduct, sentenced to probation

Despite repeatedly proclaiming his innocence, former Kremmling police chief Jamie Lucas pleaded guilty to one count of official misconduct on March 15, 2021. Lucas was sentenced to one year of unsupervised probation and 36 hours community service after pleading guilty to reduced charges through a plea agreement that vacated Lucas’ April trial and kept him out of jail. He must also pay a $100 fine and court costs. Lucas had previously faced multiple counts of official misconduct, official oppression and false reporting for his handling of an animal abuse case in November 2019.

— From the March 17, 2021, edition of Sky-Hi News

30 years ago: Timeline for Kremmling airport runway upgrades is moved up a year

The Kremmling airport is expecting to get a $1.5 million upgrade in the summer of 1996, a year earlier than it was originally planned. On March 19, 1996, Grand County Manager Howard Moody told the Grand County Board of County Commissioners that the Federal Aviation Authority wants to move up a grant to do a runway rehabilitation project, which includes new lights, a significant pavement overlay and “apron rehabilitation.” The Colorado Division of Aeronautics will provide $76,800 of the funding, which will be matched locally, making up the FAA’s required 10% local match.

— From the March 21, 1996, edition of Sky-Hi News

50 years ago: Fire damages mobile home at Grabe Trailer Court south of Granby

A fire in a mobile home at the Grabe Trailer Court south of Granby appears to have started because of heat tape and dry grass under the structure, according to Granby Fire Chief Bud Wilson. The fire took almost 45 minutes to control, with the Granby and Tabernash departments responding to calls for assistance. Most of the damage to the dwelling was caused by smoke and Wilson said repair costs could be as high as $3,000.

— From the March 18, 1976, edition of Middle Park Times

90 years ago: US Forest Service official says Colorado’s big game are wintering well

Despite deep snows across the Western Slope, the state’s deer and elk are in generally good condition, according to a regional report submitted by a U.S. Forest Service game specialist. The specialist took an extended trip into the Arapaho, Routt, Holy Cross and White River forests to compile the report and said most of the Arapaho National Forest’s deer are wintering along the Colorado River, not far from Hot Sulphur Springs, and have ranged as far as Kremmling. There was noted some concerns around the White River National Forest’s herds of deer and elk, where rapid population increases may eventually require a reduction in the local population before starvation and damage to grazing ranges could set in.

— From the March 19, 1936, edition of Middle Park Times

Sky-Hi News is working to digitize Grand County newspaper archives and make them available to the public for free. Support the project at SkyHiNews.com/donate.