According to an article written by Katie Nodjimbadem for Smithsonian.com, “Few images embody the spirit of the American West as well as the trailblazing, sharpshooting, horseback-riding cowboy of American lore. And though African-American cowboys don’t play a part in the popular narrative, historians estimate that one in four cowboys were black.” One such man was Charlie […]

Paradox Valley, just south of Mesa County, was where an assortment of early western Colorado newcomers decided to homestead and create a life. Original settlers came to the area to raise cattle, and eventually Uranium and Copper mines began to pop up around the valley. The area looks peaceful enough with its sweeping mountainous views […]

Imagine you are walking through the Black Ridge area of the Colorado National Monument, admiring the dusty hunks of sandstone and dramatic, red-walled canyons.  You see a large, swallowtail butterfly flit past, and using your keen vision you observe that it is quite unlike any others you’ve spotted before.  You return to this place up on […]

Andrew E. Riddle had a sharp memory, humorous wit, and a lengthy past living in and around Mesa County as one of the area’s early settlers. He was a man of many hats: in the early 1900’s he experienced life as a soldier with the National Guard, a cattle and sheep rancher, and a successful Uranium […]

Nowadays, teachers can casually stroll out to their vehicle in the morning, which may be already warmed up during winter time with the help of a remote car starter.  They drive at speeds of 25 mph+ to work while sipping a thermos of coffee and enjoying the music or podcasts from their Bluetooth radio.  Once […]