KMTS Connections

The Rifle Police Department’s annual Trail Boss Bike Rodeo returns Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon on 18th Street near the police department. Angela Mills and Interim Chief Mike Kuper joined KMTS to talk about the long-running free community event, which helps kids learn bicycle safety, hand signals, helmet fitting, and rules of the road ... Read more The post KMTS Connections: Rifle Police Department Trail Boss Bike Rodeo appeared first on Your Brand of Country, KMTS.

Journey Home Animal Care Center joined KMTS Connections with The Rough Bar & Grill to talk about the annual Barks, Brews & Barbecue fundraiser at Deerfield Park in Rifle. The family-friendly event features local barbecue, craft beverages, a People’s Choice vote, kids’ activities, and adoptable pets, with proceeds supporting Journey Home’s animal care, staffing, medical ... Read more The post KMTS Connections: Journey Home Animal Care Center Barks, Brews & Barbecue appeared first on Your Brand of Country, KMTS.

Colorado Mountain College Glenwood Center Assistant Dean of Instruction Maureen Stepp joined KMTS to talk about the Skilled Trades Symposium and Information Night on Wednesday, May 13, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Glenwood Center behind City Market. The free event is open to anyone interested in learning more about careers and training in ... Read more The post KMTS Connections: Colorado Mountain College Skilled Trades Symposium and Information Night appeared first on Your Brand of Country, KMTS.

Zac Robinson, executive director of Northwest Colorado Youth for Christ, joined KMTS to talk about the Run Pray 5K happening Sunday, May 17, at Two Rivers Park in Glenwood Springs. The afternoon event is a fundraiser to help young people attend Christian camps, with participants able to run, walk, or raise support for camp costs. ... Read more The post KMTS Connections: Northwest Colorado Youth for Christ Run Pray 5K appeared first on Your Brand of Country, KMTS.

Shelby Burke-Olson from Colorado River BOCES joined KMTS to talk about the upcoming ENC Day, which stands for Encourage, Nurture, Challenge. The event brings together students with significant special needs for a fun, supportive day of activities designed to focus on ability, connection, and community. Students will take part in a variety of adapted stations, ... Read more The post KMTS Connections: Colorado River BOCES ENC Day appeared first on Your Brand of Country, KMTS.

Symphony in the Valley visits KMTS to preview its Mother’s Day weekend concert, Symphony Goes East, featuring music inspired by Eastern and folk traditions, including the world premiere of Wildflower Music by composer-in-residence Ian Pasternak. The group also talks about bringing the performance to Rifle and New Castle, the community orchestra’s local connections, and the ... Read more The post KMTS Connections: Symphony in the Valley Goes East and Tees Up Golf Fundraiser appeared first on Your Brand of Country, KMTS.

Janet Ketelsleger with the Rifle Elks Lodge and McCoy Burke with Colorado Parks and Wildlife joined KMTS to talk about the annual Youth Fishing Derby at Lions Pond in Rifle. The free community event is designed to get kids and families outdoors for a fun morning of fishing, prizes, giveaways, and a barbecue lunch. The ... Read more The post KMTS Connections: Rifle Elks and Colorado Parks and Wildlife Youth Fishing Derby appeared first on Your Brand of Country, KMTS.

Kate Collins, Executive Director of the Middle Colorado Watershed Council, joined KMTS to talk about the final event in the Fire and Water Speaker Series, focused on wildfire readiness, watershed health, and community resilience. The conversation covered how fire and water are closely connected, from drought and soil conditions to post-fire impacts on water quality, ... Read more The post KMTS Connections: Middle Colorado Watershed Council Fire and Water Speaker Series Finale appeared first on Your Brand of Country, KMTS.

Colorado Mountain College is hosting its second annual Holistic Health Fair, bringing together a wide range of practitioners and approaches focused on whole-body wellness. Coordinator Annmarie Deter highlights the goal of connecting the community with local experts offering alternative and complementary health options—from acupuncture and thermography to nutrition, detox therapies, and more. The event is ... Read more The post KMTS Connections: Colorado Mountain College Holistic Health Fair appeared first on Your Brand of Country, KMTS.

This episode of KMTS Connections highlights the Colorado River Valley Economic Development Partnership’s “Idea Factory,” a program designed to support early-stage entrepreneurs in Western Garfield County. Community and Program Manager Ari Lewis discusses how the initiative brings together individuals with business ideas at various stages, offering mentorship, networking, and resources through a collaboration with Startup ... Read more The post KMTS Connections: Colorado River Valley Economic Development Partnership’s Idea Factory Pitch Event appeared first on Your Brand of Country, KMTS.

Hattie Rensberry from Journey Home Animal Care Center joined KMTS Connections to talk about a busy season of community events and fundraisers. One of the biggest is the upcoming Strut for Mutts, a dog-friendly 5K at Dearfield Park that encourages people to get outside, bring their pups, and enjoy a fun morning together. Participants can ... Read more The post KMTS Connections: Journey Home Animal Care Center’s Strut for Mutts and Other Spring Events appeared first on Your Brand of Country, KMTS.

In this episode of KMTS Connections, Gabe talks with Michelle Vogel from the missions team at Sunlight Foursquare Church about the upcoming 10th Annual Water Wells for Africa 5K in Silt. The community event raises money to help provide clean water for villages in Africa through the nonprofit Water Wells for Africa. Over the past ... Read more The post KMTS Connections: Sunlight Foursquare Church’s Water Wells for Africa 5K Celebrates 10 Years appeared first on Your Brand of Country, KMTS.

In this episode of KMTS Connections, Gabe talks with Grand Valley High School golfer Waylon Panter and his mom, Jennifer, about Waylon’s upcoming trip to Australia through Coast 2 Coast International Athletics. Waylon, who only started golfing as a freshman but has already competed at the state level, was invited to travel with Team USA ... Read more The post KMTS Connections: Coast 2 Coast International Athletics Opportunity Sends Local Golfer to Australia appeared first on Your Brand of Country, KMTS.

Kaaren Peck with Grand River Meals on Wheels and Colorado Mountain College ceramics instructor Michelle McCurdy talk about the upcoming 10th Annual Empty Bowls fundraiser, which also celebrates 50 years of Meals on Wheels service in the community. The event brings people together to support local meal delivery for seniors and residents with disabilities while ... Read more The post KMTS Connections: Grand River Meals on Wheels’ 10th Annual Empty Bowls Fundraiser appeared first on Your Brand of Country, KMTS.

YouthZone is bringing back its long-running “Kiss & Squeal” fundraiser as part of its 50th anniversary celebration, kicking off with a fun community event in Rifle and culminating at a gala on May 1st at Hotel Colorado. The campaign features local teams and individuals raising money, with the top fundraiser earning (or enduring) the honor ... Read more The post KMTS Connections: YouthZone’s Kiss -N- Squeal Returns for 50th Anniversary Celebration appeared first on Your Brand of Country, KMTS.

In this episode of KMTS Connections, Mary Cloud from River Bridge Regional Center shares an overview of the organization’s role in supporting children and families impacted by abuse. River Bridge provides a safe, child-friendly space for forensic interviews, advocacy, mental health services, and medical care—all at no cost. Mary highlights how their work not only ... Read more The post KMTS Connections: River Bridge Regional Center & Child Abuse Prevention Month appeared first on Your Brand of Country, KMTS.

Liberty Classical Academy’s upcoming production of Once Upon a Mattress promises a lively, humorous twist on the classic “Princess and the Pea” story, featuring colorful characters, energetic dance numbers, and live music. Director Trea Traver and student performers highlight the unique approach this year, including double-casting for key roles like Princess Winifred and Queen Aggravain, ... Read more The post KMTS Connections: Liberty Classical Academy’s Once Upon a Mattress appeared first on Your Brand of Country, KMTS.

Waylon Panter, a junior golfer representing Rifle High School, joins KMTS Connections to talk about an exciting opportunity to travel to Australia this summer through Coast 2 Coast International Athletics. After qualifying for the state golf tournament two years in a row, Waylon received an invitation to join a select group of young athletes for ... Read more The post KMTS Connections: Coast 2 Coast International Athletics Golf Opportunity with Waylon Panter appeared first on Your Brand of Country, KMTS.

In this episode of KMTS Connections, Mary Evans of the Middle Colorado Watershed Council shares details about the 2026 Fire & Water Speaker Series, a three-part community event focused on how water, wildfire, and people shape life in the Colorado River Basin. Drawing on her background in ecology and data science, Mary talks about the ... Read more The post KMTS Connections: Middle Colorado Watershed Council’s 2026 Fire & Water Speaker Series appeared first on Your Brand of Country, KMTS.

EXTRA! EXTRA! Due to the closure of Roaring Fork Schools on Friday, February 20th because of weather and travel safety concerns, opening night of Newsies has been canceled. Saturday’s performance will now be the first show. Anyone who purchased online tickets for February 20th can request a refund or move their tickets to another performance. ... Read more The post KMTS Connections: Glenwood Springs High School Brings “Newsies” to Life appeared first on Your Brand of Country, KMTS.

Ali from YouthZone joined KMTS Connections to share the exciting return of “Kiss n’ Squeal,” the organization’s beloved (and unforgettable) pig-kissing fundraiser. After an 11-year hiatus, the event is coming back in 2026 to celebrate YouthZone’s 50th anniversary. Originally launched in 1991, Kiss n’ Squeal raised more than $1.3 million over two decades by rallying ... Read more The post KMTS Connections: Return of Kiss n’ Squeal for YouthZone’s 50th Anniversary appeared first on Your Brand of Country, KMTS.

In this episode of KMTS Connections, representatives from River Bridge Regional Center, Health Solutions West, and Advocate Safehouse Project join the conversation to talk about the 36th Annual Garfield County Humanitarian Awards. Nominations are open through February 27 at 4 p.m., and community members are encouraged to recognize individuals of all ages who make a ... Read more The post KMTS Connections: 2026 Garfield County Humanitarian Awards appeared first on Your Brand of Country, KMTS.

In this episode of KMTS Connections, Cynthia Jenness and Kalli Wilson from the Graham Mesa Elementary PTO share details about the upcoming Daddy-Daughter Dance on February 21. Open to all father figures and elementary-aged girls, the event is a long-standing community favorite focused on making memories and having fun. Guests can enjoy music from a ... Read more The post KMTS Connections: Graham Mesa Elementary PTO Daddy-Daughter Dance & Other Community Events appeared first on Your Brand of Country, KMTS.

The latest KMTS Connections spot highlights Symphony in the Valley and their annual Symphony Swing fundraiser, themed “Putting on the Glitz.” Maestro Kelly Thompson, along with singers Warren Lucio and Heidi Rovig, chat about this big band–inspired celebration happening Friday, February 13 at the Ute Theater and Saturday, February 14 at the historic Hotel Colorado. ... Read more The post KMTS Connections: Symphony in the Valley Puts on the Glitz with Symphony Swing appeared first on Your Brand of Country, KMTS.

This episode of KMTS Connections features a conversation with Alicia Gresley, Executive Director of the Colorado River Valley Economic Development Partnership, and Ari Lewis, the partnership’s new Program and Community Manager. They discuss the launch of the Idea Factory, a new four-week virtual cohort program brought to the region in partnership with Startup Colorado. The ... Read more The post KMTS Connections: Colorado River Valley Economic Development Partnership & Startup Colorado’s Idea Factory appeared first on Your Brand of Country, KMTS.

Today, our conversation with members of Garfield County Search and Rescue about what they do and why they’re actively recruiting new volunteers. President Mike Kavanaugh, board member Corey Ice, and longtime member Elise Wolff share an overview of the team’s mission: finding the lost, rescuing the stranded or injured, recovering the deceased, and educating the ... Read more The post KMTS Connections: Garfield County Search and Rescue Recruitment appeared first on Your Brand of Country, KMTS.

Two Rivers Community Foundation board members Amber Wissing and Katie Ledall talk about Skier Appreciation Day at Sunlight Mountain Resort on Friday, January 9-—a long-running local tradition that now benefits Two Rivers Community Foundation. It’s a community-forward day with $25 lift tickets, a fun “Slopeside Circus” theme, costumes, games, giveaways, live music, and chances to ... Read more The post KMTS Connections: Two Rivers Community Foundation Benefits From Sunlight’s Skier Appreciation Day appeared first on Your Brand of Country, KMTS.

Great Expectations (formerly Family Visitor Programs) is a local nonprofit serving families from Aspen to Parachute, focused on strengthening and empowering parents with young children—starting in pregnancy through a child’s third birthday. They offer a mix of evidence-based home visiting (including Nurse-Family Partnership and Healthy Families America), parenting groups, and help connecting families to community ... Read more The post KMTS Connections: Great Expectations Supports Families From Pregnancy to Age Three appeared first on Your Brand of Country, KMTS.

Tara Harman from the Glenwood Springs Chamber joins KMTS Connections to preview the Grand Holiday Celebration, happening Friday from 3:30–7:30 PM under the Grand Avenue Bridge at Bethel Plaza. Tara shares why the event is moving locations this year (better cover and a great community vibe) and highlights that it’s free and family-friendly, with Santa, ... Read more The post KMTS Connections: Glenwood Springs Chamber – Grand Holiday Under the Grand Avenue Bridge appeared first on Your Brand of Country, KMTS.

Hattie Rensberry from Journey Home Animal Care Center talks about their annual *Photos with Santa* fundraiser, held at the shelter with a special 9–10 a.m. hour reserved just for dog-reactive pups who need a calmer environment. From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., everyone else is welcome, with optional printed photos for a small fundraiser fee ... Read more The post KMTS Connections: Journey Home Animal Care Center – Photos with Santa & Holiday Giving appeared first on Your Brand of Country, KMTS.

Donna Marye from the Glenwood Springs Elks Lodge talks about their annual Holiday Craft Fair and Bake Sale, happening this Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Elks Lodge in West Glenwood. For $40, local crafters and bakers can rent a table, keep all their sales, and help support Mountain Valley Developmental Services ... Read more The post KMTS Connections: Glenwood Springs Elks Holiday Craft Fair & Bake Sale appeared first on Your Brand of Country, KMTS.

Mountain Madrigal Singers return for their 45th season with “All Our Holiday Stuff,” a free community Christmas concert series at Glenwood Church of Christ in West Glenwood. The longtime local choir, directed by Laura Porterfield, blends sacred and secular favorites, from traditional carols and a cappella pieces to fun numbers like a Grinch medley and ... Read more The post KMTS Connections: Mountain Madrigal Singers – “All Our Holiday Stuff” appeared first on Your Brand of Country, KMTS.

Wamsley Elementary’s PTAC in Rifle is hosting a family-friendly Winter Wonderland indoor carnival on Thursday, December 11, from 5:30–7:30 p.m. The “season of giving”–themed event features student-led community projects, classic carnival games, photos with Santa, and a cozy Outdoor Classroom with fire pits, hot chocolate, and free cookies. Local businesses can sponsor holiday trees that ... Read more The post KMTS Connections: Wamsley Elementary Winter Wonderland Fundraiser appeared first on Your Brand of Country, KMTS.

Symphony in the Valley is kicking off the holiday season with *“Sugar Plums and Sleigh Bells: A Colorado Christmas”* at the Ute Theater in Rifle. The concerts feature live orchestra favorites like “Sleigh Ride,” a Hanukkah medley, and a brand-new piece, *Hometown Holiday*, inspired by Rifle itself, alongside beloved selections from *The Nutcracker* danced by ... Read more The post KMTS Connections: Symphony in the Valley & Colorado West Ballet – Sugar Plums and Sleigh Bells appeared first on Your Brand of Country, KMTS.

Ali with YouthZone drops by with updates ahead of Colorado Gives Day (early giving is open). Donations through the statewide platform boost a shared incentive fund, and there’s even a match for the first month of new recurring gifts (up to $100). The nonprofit is one of the few in Colorado offering youth diversion and ... Read more The post KMTS Connections: YouthZone — Reasons to Give Through Colorado Gives Campaign appeared first on Your Brand of Country, KMTS.

Mountain Valley Developmental Services shares two easy ways to support neighbors with intellectual and developmental disabilities. First up: their Sneaker Drive (Oct 10–Nov 11) aiming for 500 pairs of gently-used athletic shoes—any brand or style counts. Collected shoes are reused or recycled through the GotSneakers program, raising a few dollars per pair while keeping footwear ... Read more The post KMTS Connections: Mountain Valley Developmental Services — Sneaker Drive & Colorado Gives appeared first on Your Brand of Country, KMTS.

Aspen Community Theatre presents Neil Simon’s door-slamming farce “Rumors”—a return to non-musical theatre after 25 years and the first ACT production to play beyond Aspen. The show splits its run between Aspen’s Wheeler Opera House and Rifle’s Ute Theater, underscoring ACT’s up-and-down-valley community focus. Board president Brad Moore and cast members Sheri Brinker and Mircea ... Read more The post KMTS Connections: Aspen Community Theatre — “Rumors” launches in Aspen and Rifle appeared first on Your Brand of Country, KMTS.

RIDE (Riding Institute for Disabled Equestrians) dropped in to share a feel-good season and invite everyone to a family celebration at WingNutz Bar & Grill in Rifle, Sunday, November 2, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., tied to the football game between Denver and Houston and honoring longtime participant families and sponsors. Expect fun drawings ... Read more The post KMTS Connections: Riding Institute for Disabled Equestrians – Family Celebration appeared first on Your Brand of Country, KMTS.

The Rifle Elks Lodge is hosting its third annual Veterans Day Dinner on Sunday, November 9th at the Ute Theater. Due to growing popularity, the event has outgrown the Lodge and will feature a catered pork and chicken dinner, branch-specific cakes, and a special Marine Corps birthday tribute. The evening includes speakers, an Air Force ... Read more The post KMTS Connections: Rifle Elks Host 3rd Annual Veterans Day Dinner and Marine Corps Birthday Celebration appeared first on Your Brand of Country, KMTS.

The Salvation Army’s annual Red Kettle Campaign gets underway soon, and volunteers are needed to ring bells at donation sites from Aspen to Parachute. Cristina Ruiz, director of the Glenwood Springs office, shared that there are 10 kettle locations, some still in need of coverage. Bell ringing shifts are just one hour, and volunteers can ... Read more The post KMTS Connections: Salvation Army Seeks Volunteers for Red Kettle Campaign appeared first on Your Brand of Country, KMTS.

Gayle Heiner, president of the Rifle Heritage Center, joined KMTS Connections to preview *Voices in the Dark*, the museum’s annual Halloween-themed history event. Taking place at the Rifle Creek Museum this Saturday (October 25), the event features local volunteers portraying historic figures like Chipeta, Ida Mae Mann, R.O. Smith, and Paul Bernklau (who portrays himself). ... Read more The post KMTS Connections: Rifle Heritage Center’s “Voices in the Dark” Brings History to Life appeared first on Your Brand of Country, KMTS.

The Halloween Bash at the Carbondale American Legion Hall promises a festive night for a meaningful cause. Held on Friday, October 31st from 5 p.m. to midnight, the event is open to the public with a suggested donation of $10 at the door. Guests can enjoy live music from the 432ONE Band, a costume contest ... Read more The post KMTS Connections: Carbondale American Legion Halloween Bash Supports Veterans Attending Winter Sports Clinic appeared first on Your Brand of Country, KMTS.

In this KMTS Connections interview, Natasha Gitlitz, Development Director at WindWalkers, shares details about their upcoming fundraiser, Built for the Barn, happening Sunday, October 26. The family-friendly event includes adult and kids’ fitness competitions, an open house, music, food by Bottoms Up, and ranch-themed fun. Partnering with Aspen CrossFit, the fundraiser blends cowboy grit with ... Read more The post KMTS Connections: WindWalkers Built for the Barn Fundraiser appeared first on Your Brand of Country, KMTS.

Symphony in the Valley kicks off its 2025–26 season with “An Evening of Opera,” featuring favorites from Carmen, The Marriage of Figaro, La Bohème, and Romeo & Juliet. Expect surtitled translations and handy program notes to make the stories easy to follow. Shows are Friday, October 17 at the Ute Theater and Saturday, October 18 ... Read more The post KMTS Connections: Symphony in the Valley — An Evening of Opera appeared first on Your Brand of Country, KMTS.

Sopris Theatre Company’s production of 26 Pebbles centers on the community of Newtown, CT in the months after Sandy Hook—spotlighting resilience, unity, and healing rather than reenacting the tragedy itself. The ensemble of seven actors takes on multiple roles in a documentary-style, words-first approach reminiscent of Our Town and The Laramie Project. The title nods ... Read more The post KMTS Connections: Sopris Theatre Company Production of “26 Pebbles” appeared first on Your Brand of Country, KMTS.

Voters across Garfield, Pitkin, and the Roaring Fork Valley portion of Eagle County will decide this November on Ballot Question 7A, a proposal to create the Confluence Early Childhood Development Service District through a quarter-cent sales and use tax. The measure is designed to expand access to affordable childcare and preschool,  and increase wages for ... Read more The post KMTS Connections: Garfield County Ballot Question 7A – Early Childhood Initiative appeared first on Your Brand of Country, KMTS.

Kirstie Ennis—Marine Corps veteran and founder of the Kirstie Ennis Foundation—drops by to preview Oktoberfest, a community fundraiser celebrating outdoor therapy and adaptive sports. The festival brings supporters, alumni, volunteers, and bands together, and moves this year to Two Rivers Park’s ballfield area. Expect live bands, four food trucks, stories from participants, and plenty of ... Read more The post KMTS Connections: Kirstie Ennis Foundation Oktoberfest at Two Rivers Park appeared first on Your Brand of Country, KMTS.

Journey Home Animal Care Center is gearing up for its biggest fundraiser of the year, “Laugh Your Tail Off,” featuring comedian Mike Winfield, of America’s Got Talent fame. The comedy-and-auctions night returns Saturday, October 11, at the Atlantic Hangar, Garfield County Airport. Expect laughs, a silent and live auction, raffle, great food, and even a ... Read more The post KMTS Connections: Journey Home Animal Care Center – Laugh Your Tail Off 2025 appeared first on Your Brand of Country, KMTS.

Headquarters’ Angelina Taylor and Lindsay Lupow talk “mental fitness”—the everyday, preventive practice that builds resilience across four quarters: social, emotional, physical, and financial. They offer peer support groups (men: first Thursday; women: last Thursday in Basalt), plus virtual life & health coaching. A central lifeline is the Mental Health Fund, which can cover up to ... Read more The post KMTS Connections: HeadQuarters — Mental Fitness & Community Support appeared first on Your Brand of Country, KMTS.

In this KMTS Connections episode, Courtney Arroyo, manager of Defiance Thrift Store in Glenwood Springs, shares how the store is more than a place to shop—it’s a hub of community connection and support. Since stepping into her role in late 2024, Courtney emphasizes collaboration with other nonprofits, like LiftUp and Mountain Valley Developmental Services, and ... Read more The post KMTS Connections: Defiance Thrift Store’s Community-Centered Mission appeared first on Your Brand of Country, KMTS.