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Hey Routt County, hope your week’s off to a good start! In today’s wallet-friendly edition: A landslide recovery documentary, Herbie Hancock, and a fair kickoff parade + lots of fun things to do for free.
Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC bill: If your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest. This one's $150 off right now.* |
01 — Worth knowing In the newsThree local stories this week, plus a few worth your money.
A story of resilience: CDOT released a six part mini documentary on Glenwood Canyon’s 2021 landslides, marking five years since I-70 was buried, with crews recounting recovery and estimated $1 million per hour costs -- watch the full documentary.
Broncos receivers making noise: Former UFL star Hakeem Butler is turning heads at Broncos training camp, making big plays and pushing for a roster spot, with Marvin Mims Jr. impressing too -- catch Butler’s camp surge.
Hidden paths worth seeking: Craving quiet on the trail? Ten under-the-radar Colorado hikes for a 2026 bucket list, from Coal Creek Trail No. 581’s car shuttle to Silverton’s meadows and Withers Canyon’s dinosaur tracks -- see the full list.
The bill all retirees should double check: Car insurance. If you’ve been on the same plan for years, you might be paying way more than you need to. It’s an easy one to forget about, but switching could save you up to $600 this year. Case in point: I shopped around and ended up cutting my premium in half -- this free comparison tool makes it easy.*
Watch your credit card balance drop. Here's a rare one: this card lets you skip interest charges until nearly 2028, and you won't pay a cent in annual fees to do it. On top of that, every purchase earns at least 1.5% cash back, with some categories as high as 5%. Spend a little early on and there's up to a $200 bonus waiting too -- take a look.*
An emergency vet visit could cost you $7,000+ (ask me how I know 🙃). From the initial walk-in-the-door fee to x-rays, surgery, and aftercare, it adds up quicker than a chew toy turns into a crime scene. The good news? You could save thousands on your next vet bill with Lemonade*. Highlights this week: |
02 — From our sponsor Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC billIf your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest. This one's $150 off right now.* |
03 — On our radar
Local business spotlightNearby spots we'd actually send a friend to.
Your next tasty standby: Yampa Valley Kitchen keeps it fresh with creative brunch and dinner plates that feel like a treat but still taste like home. This week, think Avocado Toast that actually hits, the Achiote Rooster fried chicken sammy, and a legit Steak Au Poivre, with ingredients that nod to Elk River Livestock and Hayden Fresh Farm.
Dial in your drive: Rollingstone Ranch Golf Course pairs Yampa Valley views with a Robert Trent Jones, II layout where Fish Creek winds through seven holes, 66 bunkers keep you honest, and big bent grass greens test your touch. Sneak out this week to tune up the game, from instruction to membership options, your 7-iron will thank you.
Shades that work hard: Steamboat sunshine hits different, so swing by Sunnies Shades for premium eyewear that actually fits your lifestyle, from designer frames to budget-friendly picks, plus ski and snowboarding goggles when winter bites... locally owned since 2022 and dialed into what Routt County eyes really need.
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04 — Our recommendations
We got your backA handful of products and services we think are worth a look.
Shop for new floors without ever needing to leave the house: No showroom, no second-guessing. All from the comfort of your own home. Empire Today® has flooring experts that will bring you samples and provide you with a free in-home estimate. Trusted and backed by over 3 million satisfied customers and over 65 years of quality service. *Check out their current offers today →
Stiff necks start on flat pillows: You've slept on both arms, both sides, stacked two pillows, thrown one on the floor, and the stiffness keeps finding you, because every position ends on the same pillow that can't hold your neck. This one can: shaped to keep your neck in line however you sleep, with gentle traction through the night. If it doesn't earn its spot in 30 nights, it goes back free. *Take the 30-night test, 50% off →
Home insurance premiums jumped 12% last year alone: That's on top of years of increases that have outpaced inflation. Before you blindly renew with your current insurer, a free comparison tool matches your home with top-rated insurers so you can see quotes side by side, in about two minutes. Some homeowners find hundreds in savings, and if you don't find a better policy, you stay put knowing you checked. *See your options →
The slower you walk, the more it works: Tai Chi walking is trending online. Turns out it's centuries old — slow deliberate steps, paced breath, attention on the body. Thirty minutes a day burns fat, lifts your mood, and builds balance. No gym, no treadmill, no pounding on the joints. Take the quick quiz to see if it fits, then use code BASELOCAL for a discount on the coaching plan. *See how it works →
The upgrades that make your home feel new again start here: You don't need a full remodel to fall back in love with your space. New fixtures, a fresh coat of paint, updated hardware, the small changes that make a room feel different. It's all in one place, so a weekend is all it takes to give a tired room a fresh start. *Shop the refresh → |
Have an event to share? We (and our readers) can't wait to hear about it! Submit an event → |
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05 — The event calendar Free events worth checking outFree things to do in the coming days and weeks. Dates, times, and locations are subject to change. Always check official event pages before heading out.
🎵 Music on the Green @ Yampa River Botanic Park (Steamboat Springs) | Wednesday (8/5) at 10:00 AM – Wednesday mornings are sounding better with a free 45-minute set at the Botanic Park, and this week it’s Steamboat’s own Jay Roemer with Americana, bluegrass, and harmonica-laced storytelling. Coffee in one hand, lawn chair in the other, and zero guilt about skipping the gym.
🎻 Steamboat Springs Symphony Orchestra @ Steamboat Square | Friday (8/7) at 7:00 PM – Think you know all the throwback tunes? The Steamboat Symphony cranks them up outdoors with a high-energy, free Rock ’n Radio set, celebrating decades of hits from soul and classic rock to sing-along pop. Pack a lawn chair, your best harmonies, and smug nostalgia.
🍿 Coca-Cola Movies on the Mountain @ Steamboat Square (Steamboat Springs) | Saturday (8/8) at 8:30 AM – All summer, Steamboat Square turns into Movies on the Mountain, family favorites rolling under that smugly starry sky. Pack a blanket, the kids, and your best low-back chair, then enjoy big-screen nostalgia, fresh air, and the rare miracle of everyone sharing popcorn peacefully.
🎉 Routt County Fair Kickoff Parade @ Routt County Fairgrounds (Hayden) | Sunday (8/9) at 1:00 PM – Think you know the fair routine? Plot twist, the parade kicks things off, rolling down Highway 40 and South Poplar through Hayden. Hayden Lions Club brings The Bounty of Routt County, tractors, 4-H pride, and that neighbor who hot-glues corn to everything.
🎸 Lupita's Rock'n The Taco Free Music Series @ Lupita's Cantina (Oak Creek) | Sunday (8/23) at 2:00 PM – Swing by Lupita’s for the free Sunday music fix with tacos, where Little Moon Travelers braid folk, old time, and roots into easygoing front-porch gold. Born around a lockdown fire pit in Steamboat, they do community right. Consider it therapy you can salsa to.
🎸 Free Summer Music Fest Wednesdays: Float Like a Buffalo @ Snow Bowl Steamboat (Steamboat Springs) | Wednesday (8/26) at 6:30 PM – Grab a lawn chair for Snow Bowl’s free Summer Music Fest Wednesday with Float Like a Buffalo, a Denver six-piece mixing rock grit, deep-pocket funk, and unapologetic horns. It’s midweek, your bedtime can wait, and yes, the groove is worth the babysitter.
🚴 Ride the Cog 2026 @ Historic Hayden Granary | Saturday (8/29) at 9:00 AM – Ride the Cog is back, free to join with a few nonperishables. Roll from Wild Goose at the granary to Hayden Taphouse, choosing your flavor of suffering: the 43-mile Combined Ride, 31-mile Gravel Grinder, or 27-mile Mud Route, then earn that pint.
Want more? Browse our full events calendar | Submit an event |
06 — From our sponsor Heads up for pet parentsTogether with our sponsor Lemonade. Nothing prepares you for a late-night emergency at the vet. I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. From the initial exam fee just to be seen, to x-rays, surgery, medication, and follow-up visits… the bill racks up fast (to say the least). And at that moment? You’re not thinking about your savings, you’re just saying yes to whatever keeps them thriving. As soon as we got home, I dug around online and ultimately signed up for Pet Insurance. It was too late for me, but you could save thousands on your next vet bill with *Lemonade. |
07 — Routt County report Weather forecastToday — High: 89°F — Low: 48°F — Precip: 2%
Patchy smoke. Sunny, with a high near 89. Southwest wind 0 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Later: Patchy smoke before 7pm. Mostly clear, with a low around 48. East northeast wind 0 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Tomorrow — High: 86°F — Low: 48°F — Precip: 0%
Sunny, with a high near 86. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 48. This house is wildThis extensively renovated 3-bed, 2-bath Hayden home blends established charm with a fresh 2021 makeover. Hardwood floors, tall ceilings, granite and quartz finishes, plus a spacious primary suite set the tone. A bonus loft room, fenced yard, flagstone entry, heated two-car garage, and extra parking add rare in-town convenience.
Take a peek inside → |
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