Valley Schools Open Drop-In Listening Tour This Afternoon
Austin, CO · September 23, 2026
Gray skies hang low over the badlands this morning, keeping the valley wrapped in a mild, easy calm. There is plenty moving across the county once the coffee settles.
The Lead
Delta County School District 50J is taking administration on the road this afternoon, kicking off a series of open-door listening sessions designed to hear directly from valley families, staff, and local taxpayers.
Superintendent Amber Clark hosts the first stop today from 1:00 PM to 6:00 PM at the Technical College of the Rockies. Rather than navigating the rigid three-minute timers of formal school board meetings, residents can simply walk in and discuss classroom resources, rural campus needs, and district operations over casual one-on-one conversations. Clark, who stepped into the leadership role this summer, is gathering community input before trustees finalize mid-term strategic plans later this fall.
For Surface Creek families unable to head south today, Clark brings the tour closer to home on September 28 at Cedaredge Middle School and September 30 at Hotchkiss K-8.
Local Pulse
Orchard City Planners Review Code Revisions City Hall Trustees and planning commissioners meet Thursday evening at Town Hall to examine residential parcel guidelines and local zoning adjustments.
Countywide Economic Bootcamp Convenes Valley Businesses Business Regional business owners gather today for specialized sessions focusing on grant navigation, employee retention, and Western Slope enterprise expansion.
Today's Outlook
- High 80°F · Low 59°F — Overcast
- Expect thick cloud cover and mild warmth, so leave the heavy layers behind today.
What's On Around Town
Today
Delta Farmers Market & Bazaar Haven House (2195 Southgate Ln), Delta, 8:30 AM–1:00 PM · Free Stock up on late-season produce, pantry staples, and regional artisan goods.
Cedaredge Main Street Farmers Market Main Street, Cedaredge, 4:00–7:00 PM · Free Browse locally grown fruits, baked treats, and handcrafted gifts downtown.
County Planning Commission Meeting Delta County Administrative Building (560 Dodge St), Delta, 5:30 PM · Free Watch public deliberations on regional development proposals and land-use updates.
Tomorrow
- “Whoa Is Me!” Melodrama Grand Mesa Arts & Events Center (195 W Main St), Cedaredge, 7:00–8:00 PM
- Harvest of Voices Literary Night Blue Sage Center for the Arts (226 Grand Ave), Paonia, 7:00 PM
- Book Publishing Workshop Arts on Main (358 Main St), Delta, 7:00 PM · Free
Friday
- Mountain Harvest Festival Opening Paonia Town Park (700 4th St), Paonia, All day · Free
- Final Friday Art Walk Grand Avenue Arts District, Paonia, 5:00–8:00 PM · Free
- Friday Nights Live: Fall Concert Big B's Delicious Orchards (39126 CO-133), Hotchkiss, 6:00–9:00 PM · Free
Spotlight & Story
- The Drysdale River Take-Out
- Eight miles downriver from the North Fork confluence at Pleasure Park sits the Drysdale river take-out in Austin. It marks the finish line for drift boats floating the lower Gunnison’s Gold Medal waters beneath the desert canyon bluffs.
Austin Daily Digest — compiled from local sources as of 6 AM. For breaking updates, follow your local newsrooms.
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