A Lake City-based construction company can't start its first job of the season due to the bridge closure on U.S. 50 between Montrose and Gunnison. For KVNF, Laura Palmisano interviews Mike Schell, owner of Coal Creek Construction. Schell wants to see the Lake City cutoff open to commercial vehicles doing business locally.

On today's Farm Friday, Lisa Young speaks with Sammie Alteri of Valley Food Partnership and the Manager of the Montrose Farmers Market.

With each passing day the impacts from the US 50 closure between Montrose and Gunnison are being calculated around the dinner table by small business owners who depend on the highway. KVNF’s Brody Wilson recently spoke to one family in Montrose whose livelihood is being significantly affected.

The town of Paonia welcomed newly elected Mayor Paige Smith who replaced outgoing Mayor Mary Bachran during the April 23 Paonia Board of Trustees meeting, reports the Delta County Independent. Kathy Swartz was sworn in for a full term after finishing former Trustee Thomas Markle's term. William Brunner and Walter Czeck were sworn in, replacing Morgan MacInnis and Dave Knutson.

Senator John Hickenlooper flanked by former state senator Don Corum held a listening session in Naturita last Friday regarding the proposed Dolores National Monument. According to reports from the Montrose Daily Press, the majority of attendees opposed further protections for the area stating concerns over water rights, recreation and future mining.

The Delta High School renovation project is in full swing, reports the Delta County Independent. Work to create security entrances and update wrestling and locker rooms is being funded by a $27.7 million bond passed in November 2022.

The Cedaredge Planning and Zoning Commission postponed its decision on the Mesa Point planned unit development and sketch plan Tuesday night, reports Lucas Vader of the Delta County Independent. The project, as proposed, would bring 421 homes to Cedaredge as well as a recreation center, tennis and pickleball court, trails, open public space and a hotel to the 118 acre major subdivision.

In a recent decision the U.S. Postal Service says it will proceed with a controversial plan affecting thousands of customers and postal workers on Colorado’s Western Slope.Prior to the changes, the Postal service hosted a public hearing in Grand Junction with roughly 200 persons in attendance.

CDOT and Gunnison County have opened County Road 26 as a detour around the US 50 middle-bridge closure for local traffic. According to a CDOT press release, crews worked over the weekend to improve and open the Lake City Cutoff between Montrose and Gunnison. Pilot cars will lead passenger vehicles through the detour two times a day in each direction.

The Colorado Department of Transportation has closed a bridge on US Highway 50 west of Gunnison. The Federal Highway Administration requested the bridge closure after an inspection on Thursday identified defects in the structure.The closure is in place between US Hwy 50 Mile Point 131 which is the intersection with Colorado Highway 92 and MP 138. Local traffic will be allowed through the closure point to reach residences.