Colorado Rancher, Wildlife Agency Help Provide Relief to Those Impacted by the Lee Fire

Colorado rancher, wildlife agency help provide relief to those impacted by the Lee Fire

When Park County rancher Dave Gottenborg ended the harvest season with a surplus of hay, his thoughts immediately went to how it could help the producers and wildlife impacted by the Lee Fire. The Lee Fire burned 137,758 acres outside of Meeker this August, claiming a spot as the fifth-largest wildfire in Colorado’s history. After the fire, when rain finally fell in the area, flooding and debris flows on the burn scars brought additional challen…

Year in Review: Lee Fire threatens Rifle; 5 year anniversary of Grizzly Creek

Editor’s note: This story is the first installment in a 12-part Year in Review series highlighting the biggest events and topics of 2025. This summer in Garfield County served as a stark reminder of why fire safety training, preparation and mitigation is especially critical on Colorado’s Western Slope. Fires were widespread, and while many were swiftly contained, the Lee Fire grew into the state’s fifth largest wildfire in history. August also m…