Good day Montrose County! The Uncompahgre Valley Alliance (UVA), has been working tirelessly to build power, connections, and our collective organization. With our campaign for public transportation kicking into high gear, and many other great events on the horizon, read on to learn how you can get connected to the much needed organizing work happening in your community.
UVA Update After our great win of securing a portion of the lodging tax increase for community services, we are focusing our campaign to ensure this money collected for transportation is spent in alignment with community needs. All UVA members and supporters are welcome to join the transportation campaign team meeting on Wednesday, June 25 from 5:30 – 7:30 pm in the Hispanic Affairs Project community room at504 N 1st St Montrose, CO 81401. We will be providing dinner and talking through the strategy we need to make sure the decision makers in our community hear us and act in the community’s best interest! Reply to this email if you plan to join and help us with our headcount. UVA has a busy summer ahead tabling at community events and getting folks involved! You can catch us at the Montrose Summer Music Series, Montrose Pride, Rock the Block, and more. We welcome your participation to join us at the table!
Event Recap A month ago, around 80 people joined the Earth Action Celebration: River Day! Folks interacted with local nonprofits focused on stewardship, sustainability, and community. Another motivation for the UVA leadership team to pull this event together was to strengthen our network with other organizations in town. Many thanks again to all who participated or contributed!
UVA was a part of the Building Bridges: Sharing our Stories to Create Community event with the partners at the Hispanic Affairs Project building which include Time Bank of the Rockies and Community Spirit Church. It was a wholesome evening where we all got to know each other better over great potluck dishes. This group is looking to plan future events together, so stay tuned.
ACTION ALERT: Montrose land use codes
West End residents can make their voices heard about the proposed draft land development code regarding the development of solar in Montrose County. The special meeting will be held at the Nucla Community Center, 1045 Main Street, Nucla, CO on Thursday, May 29th, at 4:00 pm. There will be an opportunity for the public to make comments to the County Commissioners, and we would urge those attending to ask that they pass the current draft of the land development code. Contact Tyler McDermott for more information: tyler@westerncoloradoalliance.org
Upcoming Events Join us on May 31 for a tour of Uncompahgre Farms or June 7 at Honey Rock Landing as part of Western Colorado Alliance’s 2025 Farm Tour series! From high desert pastures to river valley orchards, Western Colorado is home to an inspiring range of farms that grow healthy food and strengthen our local communities. This summer and fall, you’re invited to experience it firsthand. Join us for a seasonal farm tour series that brings you face-to-face with the farmers, land, and stories behind your food. Whether you’re passionate about sustainable agriculture, curious about local food systems, or simply looking for a beautiful day out, these tours offer something special. Each tour is free and open to the public — sign up early to claim your spot! Click here to register for the Uncompahgre Farms tour on May 31Click here to register for the Honey Rock Landing tour on June 7 Did you miss the article that featured our farm tour stop from last year, Sandy Seed Farm? Catch up and read it here!
June 6: ROCC’N by the River- Ridgway Ouray Community Council’s Annual Community BBQ & Dinner Celebrate a year of community service and organizing with our sister organization ROCC. There will be music and great food as well as a keynote address by Dr. Sara Dant, an award winning writer, historian and distinguished professor emeritus. Her writing focuses on environmental politics in the US with an emphasis on the creation and development of consensus. Click here for tickets and information
