Colorado Bill Waives Park Entrance Fee for Tribal Members

A new Colorado bill honors the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe and the Southern U Indian Tribe’s connection to Ancestral land. The four Corners Freight Rail project is approved for next steps and Farmington Mayor Nate Duckett discusses the 20 25 20 26 academic year with Farmington municipal school officials. You are watching the local news Roundup, brought to you by San Juan Regional Medical Center and the Durango Motor Company. I’m Sadie Smith, a new Colorado law to waive state park entry fees for enrolled members of the Ute Mountain Ute tribe and the Southern New Indian tribe went into effect on Wednesday, August 6th. Representative Katie Stewart says The law honors the tribe’s ancestral connection to and stewardship of the land. Stewart introduced the law to the House of Representatives in February, 2025. The measure received support from the leaders of both tribes, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, and the Department of Natural Resources. Members of the Ute Mountain Ute in Southern Ute Indian Tribes now have free access to all 43 state parks in Colorado. For more information on the bill, visit the Colorado General Assembly website and find the free access to state parks for Colorado Ute Tribes. Bill the four Corners freight rail feasibility study concluded in July, 2025 and the next phase of the rail line is underway. The study found the project economically and technically feasible, offering more affordable and seamless supply chain transportation for existing industries. The proposed rail line would connect Farmington to the Burlington Northern Santa Fe railway corridor near Gallup. Next steps include preliminary engineering and a National Environmental Policy Act study. The project is estimated to cost 1.6 billion rail design firm HDR conducted the study now available for public view on the four corners for eight rail website. With school back in session, the City of Farmington released a new episode of the Mayor’s table focused on Farmington municipal schools. Mayor Nate Duckett host the discussion when Farmington Municipal School Superintendent Cody Diehl and Safety and Security supervisor Dale Bode. Topics include education, statistics, school safety, technology, family involvement, and changes for the 20 25 20 26 academic year. Diehl says that the Career and technical Education program added five new pathways for middle school students to develop trade skills and job readiness. The new pathways align with current high school programs. The technology segment covers the use of AI device bands during class instruction, virtual reality tools and resources available for families and students. To listen to the full conversation, visit the City of Farmington website. Learn more about these and other stories online at Farmington Local News. Thank you for watching this edition of the Local News Roundup. I’m Sadie Smith.