Native historian Johnny Valdez sheds light on a largely untold chapter of Colorado's history — the Brunot Agreement of 1873 and the treaties that transferred Ute ancestral lands to the United States government. Writing for the U.S. 250/Colorado 150 Power of Place Magazine, Valdez draws on both his formal education and his heritage to reveal what most Colorado schoolchildren were never taught: that the Ute people, the Nuuchiu, did not simply "give" or "sell" their land, but did so under the threat of annihilation, amid miscommunication and cultural misunderstanding. The Power of Place Magazine is a special initiative of the Colorado 150 Southwest organizing committee, featuring 20 articles by professional historians and local writers exploring Southwest Colorado's rich and complex heritage. Valdez reminds us that this land — the mountains, rivers, forests, and valleys — is sacred, and that understanding its true history makes each of us a better steward of this place. This story is sponsored by Alpine Bank, Sky Ute Casino and Strater Hotel. Watch the full series, Voices of the Past: Southwest Colorado.
How do we get to where we are — and how important is every little story? Native historian Johnny Valdez reminds us that we are each the product of a hundred generations, and that any one of those stories going differently means we wouldn't be here at all. That perspective, he says, is exactly what makes listening to someone else's story so powerful — because in their story, you find your own. Writing for the U.S. 250/Colorado 150 Power of Place Magazine, Valdez draws on his heritage as a member of the Ute Tribe to explore a largely untold chapter of Colorado's history: the Brunot Agreement of 1873, the treaty that transferred Ute ancestral lands to the United States government. It's a story most Colorado schoolchildren have never heard — they know the beautiful mountains, the great hikes, the fishing and skiing — but not the history beneath their feet. This is the land of the Great Spirit. That's what the Ute Tribe has always called it. And Valdez believes that knowing its true history transforms visitors and residents alike into protectors of this place. The Power of Place Magazine is a special initiative of the Colorado 150 Southwest organizing committee, featuring 20 articles by professional historians and local writers exploring Southwest Colorado's rich and complex heritage. This story is sponsored by Alpine Bank, Sky Ute Casino and Strater Hotel.
The Center for Snow and Avalanche Studies is documenting an unusually low snow year in Colorado. The team monitors how dust layers and temperatures affect snowmelt patterns, building on over two decades of data collection. Their research helps explain the relationship between dust, climate, and the snowpack that provides 70% of Colorado's water. This nonprofit shares their findings for free, offering valuable insights for water managers and helping us understand what's happening in our mountains. This story is sponsored by Home2Suites and Boon's Family Thai BBQ.
Colorado's new Wildfire Resiliency Building Code requires fire-resistant materials and vegetation management for new construction and major home renovations in wildfire-prone areas. The town of Pagosa Springs plans to adopt the code April 1, with full implementation by July 1. Organizations like Wildfire Adapted Partnership offer free property assessments to help homeowners reduce their risk, even if the code does not apply to them yet. This story is sponsored by FASTSIGNS Durango and Blondies Trophy Room.
There's plenty happening in the Four Corners this week. Tomorrow night, San Juan College Library hosts author David Ryan for a free talk about Wandering in the Clear Light of New Mexico — a book spotlighting some of the state's most compelling and under-the-radar destinations, many right in Farmington's backyard. The event runs from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at the Connie Gotsch Theatre. Four Corners Musical Theatre Company is in the middle of its run of Sister Act the Musical at the Farmington Civic Center. The beloved story of a lounge singer hiding out in a convent still has several shows left through March 29th, with tickets ranging from $16 to $28. If you've been thinking about leveling up your garden game, NMSU's Cooperative Extension Service is hosting the next session of their Building a Better Backyard Garden workshop series on Thursday, March 27th from 4:00 to 6:00 PM at 400 Gossett Drive in Aztec. This session focuses on designing a successful backyard garden — and there are free tools and giveaways at every event. For the off-road crowd, the Chokecherry Scramble II kicks off Saturday, March 28th at Glade Run Recreation Area. Part of the 2026 Desert Championship Race Series, the event features 25 miles of diverse terrain. Families are welcome, and food vendors will be on site. And this Friday, the community is invited to celebrate the launch of Farmington's 2nd Harvest Enhancement Project with a free Chalk Artwalk and ribbon cutting from 4:00 to 6:00 PM at 1961 Positive Way. Expect chalk art, lemonade, snacks, books, crafts, and goodie bags for kids. For more info visit farmingtonnm.org/events. This story is sponsored by Ace Hardware of Farmington and Big Idea Maker Space at San Juan College.
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