The stories on this list received the most page views onaspentimes.com from October 26 to November 2:
1. ‘Extremely close’: Early-season avalanche on Colorado 14er buries skier’s head
A skier was left partially buried after triggering one of the first human-caused avalanches of the winter season on a Colorado 14er.
On Sunday, Oct. 25, the skier triggered a large wind slab avalanche on an east-facing slope above 14,000 on Mount Bross, according to a social media post from the Colorado Avalanche Information Center. The avalanche buried the skier’s head, but the publication states that other members of the group were able to get the skier out in about five minutes. Everyone reportedly left the field safely.
«This was an extremely close call and a stark reminder that it doesn’t take a lot of snow to create dangerous avalanche conditions,» the avalanche center wrote. «Early in the season, the most tempting places to ride are often the most dangerous.»
-Ryan Spencer
2. Colorado wolf activity spreads across Western Slope in October
Colorado gray collared wolves continued to explore west of the Continental Divide in October, with activity ranging from the basins surrounding Walden to those farther south near Pagosa Springs.
That’s according to Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s latest gray wolf activity map, which shows the watersheds where the state’s collared wolves were located between Sept. 22 and Oct. 27.
During the month, wolves were present not only in watersheds in the northwest corner of Moffat County, but also from Routt, Jackson, Larimer, Grand, Summit, Clear Creek, Eagle, Rio Blanco, Garfield and Pitkin counties south to Gunnison, Lake, Chaffee, Saguache, Hinsdale, Mineral, Rio Grande and Archuleta counties.
-Ali Longwell
3. How to Protect Wildlife and the Environment Through Safe Pumpkin Display and Disposal Practices
From pumpkin pie to pumpkins, millions of Americans turn to orange squash each fall to celebrate the season’s ghoulish and gratitude-filled festivities.
In 2025, the U.S. Department of Agriculture reported that growers nationwide grew 1.47 billion pounds of pumpkins.which is sold not only for pureeing, canning and eating, but also for Halloween and Thanksgiving decorations.
However, the vast majority of pumpkins left after the holidays can pose a significant threat to wildlife and the environment if left unattended or disposed of improperly.
-Ali Longwell
4. Halloween Storms to Bring Rain and Snow to Western Colorado Slope
After a rainy or, in some areas, snowy weekend, Colorado’s Western Slope mountains are returning to dry, sunny conditions to finish out the month. The next storm is forecast to arrive just in time for Halloween weekend.
Tuesday through Thursday, October 27-29, weather is expected to be mostly sunny in mountain towns, with calm winds throughout the day. Temperatures are forecast to rise slightly on Thursday and Friday, with highs in the 50s and 60s in the northern and central mountains.
Friday could then bring more cloudiness, with a slight chance of snow showers Friday night in some northern mountain towns ahead of the weekend’s changing weather patterns, including Vail and Breckenridge. Lower elevation mountain cities, such as Aspen and Steamboat Springs, are more likely to experience rainfall, according to the National Weather Service..
-Andrea Teres-Martínez
5. Pitkin County judge finds ‘probable cause’ to proceed with kidnapping case
Editor’s note: This article contains details about kidnappings, assaults and sexual violence that may be triggering for some readers.
A Pitkin County judge found probable cause to proceed with two charges facing Nathan Keen, one of two defendants who allegedly kidnapped and assaulted a young woman in July 2025, at a preliminary hearing Wednesday.
«The alleged acts are clearly illegal,» District Court Judge Laura Makar said Wednesday.
-Genny Gottdiener
