/tags/yuma-county Yuma County en-US Copyright KUNC/Community Radio for Northern Colorado 2020 Wed, 21 Dec 2022 23:47:11 GMT /news/2022-12-21/less-water-fewer-farmers-the-future-of-agriculture-on-the-ogallala-aquifer The Ogallala Aquifer is a vast, underground water supply that lies beneath 8 states, including parts of Eastern Colorado. Many farmers on the eastern plains depend on it as a reliable source of water to irrigate their crops. But the aquifer is drying up. Here's what that means for the future of agricultural communities in the area. Wed, 21 Dec 2022 23:47:11 GMT /news/2022-12-21/less-water-fewer-farmers-the-future-of-agriculture-on-the-ogallala-aquifer Rae Solomon /culture-identity/2022-10-03/instead-of-a-class-he-wanted-us-to-be-family-yuma-high-school-band-teacher-teaches-community-along-with-the-music In the midsts of endless cornfields in Yuma, high school music teacher Robert Zahller has carved out a special place in the Yuma High School music program. Mon, 03 Oct 2022 12:00:00 GMT /culture-identity/2022-10-03/instead-of-a-class-he-wanted-us-to-be-family-yuma-high-school-band-teacher-teaches-community-along-with-the-music Rae Solomon /community/2022-08-09/cant-hardly-miss-it-tradition-and-pride-at-the-yuma-county-fair Late summer is county fair season around the country and in Colorado, and the festivities are finally returning to normal this third summer of the pandemic. In the coming weeks, Lincoln and Routt counties, among others, will have their fairs, and it all builds up to the state fair at the end of this month in Pueblo. But in Yuma, the focus is on the farm and future farmers. Tue, 09 Aug 2022 17:01:59 GMT /community/2022-08-09/cant-hardly-miss-it-tradition-and-pride-at-the-yuma-county-fair Rae Solomon /community/2022-06-02/passion-community-drive-new-businesses-in-rural-yuma-county-despite-recession The pandemic forced Colorado industries to shut down storefronts and put up with supply chain issues and inflation. Despite the financial squeeze, the state’s new business filings have skyrocketed during the last three years, nearing a 10-year peak last quarter. And the economic development is happening in urban and rural communities alike. Thu, 02 Jun 2022 20:05:00 GMT /community/2022-06-02/passion-community-drive-new-businesses-in-rural-yuma-county-despite-recession Adam Rayes /environment/2022-05-20/a-short-time-to-accomplish-so-much-republican-river-board-contemplates-fee-changes-inactive-well-contracts-and-state-funds In April, the Republican River Water Conservation District Board put out notice of possible changes to water use fees for irrigating crops. At the board’s quarterly meeting Tuesday, however, members did not decide on whether a fee-structure change process will occur. Board members also voted on how to handle formerly inactive wells coming back on in the basin. Fri, 20 May 2022 17:09:34 GMT /environment/2022-05-20/a-short-time-to-accomplish-so-much-republican-river-board-contemplates-fee-changes-inactive-well-contracts-and-state-funds Adam Rayes /politics/2022-05-11/is-colorado-still-a-local-control-state-2022-legislative-session-sparks-debate-among-leaders Many officials proudly talk up the unique decision-making powers Colorado gives the smallest levels of government. Some bills this session would shift more county and municipal powers to the state, leading to concerns about Colorado’s emphasis on “local control” going away. Wed, 11 May 2022 22:31:02 GMT /politics/2022-05-11/is-colorado-still-a-local-control-state-2022-legislative-session-sparks-debate-among-leaders Adam Rayes /music/2022-04-04/just-keep-trying-16-year-old-and-72-year-old-discuss-music-making-in-rural-yuma-county Rural Northeast Colorado has fewer employed artists than any other region in the state, according to a 2020 report. While musicians, dancers and fashion designers may sell a lot less out there, they are still creating. KUNC asked two musicians, one very young and one much older, to meet and discuss their craft. Mon, 04 Apr 2022 23:00:27 GMT /music/2022-04-04/just-keep-trying-16-year-old-and-72-year-old-discuss-music-making-in-rural-yuma-county Adam Rayes /2022-03-11/colorado-edition-special-pain-and-hope-in-the-republican-river-basin Water feeds Northeast Colorado’s corn and wheat fields, creating a booming agricultural economy. But that water is disappearing from the tributaries that feed the Republican River, flowing 450 miles from the cropland of Yuma County through Kansas and Nebraska. In this special episode of Colorado Edition from KUNC, we explore the water crisis in Colorado’s Republican River basin. Fri, 11 Mar 2022 23:24:06 GMT /2022-03-11/colorado-edition-special-pain-and-hope-in-the-republican-river-basin Adam Rayes, Erin O'Toole, Colorado Edition /environment/2022-02-16/republican-river-conservation-board-hashes-out-funding-for-efforts-to-save-irrigated-farming-in-northeast-colorado Last November, the 17-member Republican River Water Conservation District board more than doubled the annual fee farmers in the basin pay per irrigated acre. That increase allowed the board to also increase the amount offered to those who chose to stop irrigating. Interest in the program has since gone up, but some feel the fee is unfair. Thu, 17 Feb 2022 01:07:01 GMT /environment/2022-02-16/republican-river-conservation-board-hashes-out-funding-for-efforts-to-save-irrigated-farming-in-northeast-colorado Adam Rayes /environment/2022-01-28/trees-silt-clog-the-republican-rivers-south-fork-colorado-officials-hope-money-can-fix-that Little to no water flows from the Republican River's South Fork in southeast Yuma and northern Kit Carson counties into Kansas and Nebraska, where it merges with the main river. Officials have a plan that could cost about $40 million to save the fork. Sat, 29 Jan 2022 00:45:39 GMT /environment/2022-01-28/trees-silt-clog-the-republican-rivers-south-fork-colorado-officials-hope-money-can-fix-that Adam Rayes