Posted inEconomy, Housing, News

In rural towns like Kit Carson, a housing and development conundrum born of rising costs, disrepair — and lots of asbestos

KIT CARSON — The hope for rural sustainability in this small, spare town lives in a light-brown, 1,800-square-foot, two-story frame house with four bedrooms and three baths. Her name is LouRae Rady, a single mom and a second-grade teacher at the sparkling new school just a couple blocks away. The hope lies in Rady, whose […]

Posted inCOVID, News

Coronavirus has struck construction sites across Colorado, including a school and off-campus housing project

Coronavirus outbreaks have hit staff working in the close quarters of Colorado nursing homes, prisons and jails, food-manufacturing plants and restaurants. Add construction workers to that list, as the number of job sites with outbreaks continues to rise. A construction crew building a school in Kit Carson fell ill with the virus, sickening 26 workers […]

Posted inBusiness, Coloradans, COVID, News

Coronavirus collapsed America’s food system, but created “a pivotal and magical moment” for locavores

MOSCA — Sheldon Rockey weaves through pallets of potatoes in a long-retired high school gym as a small team of workers wash and package his trademarked fingerlings.  “We just weren’t prepared for this, so there will be some livestock that will eat some gourmet potatoes this year,” says Rockey, who saw his innovative and competitive […]

Posted inBusiness, Coloradans, COVID, Health, News, Politics and Government

Colorado’s rural pharmacies wrestle against big business to remain community cornerstones

CHEYENNE WELLS – Ted Billinger Jr. closed his pharmacy in this prairie town on March 13, 2019, as the worst storm on record hit Colorado. He delivered a prescription for a child with the flu and one to the local nursing home, went home, had a heart attack in his backyard and died. For nearly […]