Environment - The Durango Herald

2024 forecasts show less water will flow into Lake Powell. Don’t panic, experts say

The estimated flow of Colorado River water into Lake Powell, where water for millions of people is stored, has dropped by nearly 19% since October

DATE: Dec 27, 2023 | CATEGORY: Regional News

Comments accepted on HD Mountains drilling plan

Responses to environmental assessment accepted through Jan. 16

DATE: Dec 22, 2023 | CATEGORY: Local News

How a gas utility fought to keep two Colorado towns hooked on fossil fuels

Once a sleepy coal mining town, Crested Butte has transformed itself into a year-round tourism magnet. In the winter, the community of 1,500 people tucked into the Rocky Mountains is a pictu...

DATE: Dec 22, 2023 | CATEGORY: Regional News

Colorado pitches even more “intensity” caps on oil and gas to help fight ozone

Environmental groups hit air regulators’ plan for no enforcement, too much wiggle room

DATE: Dec 15, 2023 | CATEGORY: Regional News

Tesla closer to coming to Durango after city OKs service contract with electric vehicle manufacturer

Eight supercharging stations would be installed at Transit Center

DATE: Dec 9, 2023 | CATEGORY: Local News

New EPA methane emissions rules celebrated by some, cause concern for others

The rules will limit leaks from over 20,000 oil and gas wells in the Four Corners

DATE: Dec 5, 2023 | CATEGORY: Regional News

City, fire district to tackle prescribed burns in parks and trails around Durango

Snowy conditions facilitate winter fire mitigation

DATE: Dec 2, 2023 | CATEGORY: Local News

Colorado’s recycling rates are atrocious. Here’s how one Denver-area restaurant is trying to change that.

The state remains stuck at 16% reuse, only half the national average, but new laws on plastic bags and Styrofoam containers may boost efforts

DATE: Nov 24, 2023 | CATEGORY: Regional News

New federal grants will help Colorado groups address environmental injustices across the state

Six Colorado organizations will share up to $4 million in funding from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to advance environmental justice programs across the state. The projects – sel...

DATE: Nov 21, 2023 | CATEGORY: Regional News

Nation and region’s climate worsening, but can still be improved, says new federal assessment

Dangerously hot and dry conditions in Colorado and other Southwestern states fueled by rising global temperatures are endangering the health of residents, reducing snowpack and water supplie...

DATE: Nov 15, 2023 | CATEGORY: Regional News

Dam on the Arkansas River near Salida finally removed after years of rescues, drownings and environmental impacts

Colorado Parks and Wildlife and Chaffee County commissioners help fund removal of the dam that has threatened river runners, fish habitat for nearly 60 years

DATE: Nov 13, 2023 | CATEGORY: Regional News

Agreement ends domestic sheep grazing on 100,000 acres near Silverton

Bacteria carried by livestock pose serious threat to Colorado’s bighorn sheep population

DATE: Nov 10, 2023 | CATEGORY: Local News

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Photos: High County Cattle Auction

High Country Cattle Auction brings top-notch stock and country charm to Southwest ColoradoFamily run, generational business dates back to 1940s

BREEN – The family-owned and operated High Country Cattle Auction is “in the bones” of the Cugnini family, said third-generation owner Chris Cugnini. The business was founded by Chris’ grandfather, Pat Cugnini, in the 1940s. Pat then passed the business down to his son, Duane Cugnini, who then turned the business over to daughters, Becky Hawkins and Chris Cugnini, whose daughters plan to take over the family business one day. The auction, which takes place once or twice a month from April to January at 13062 La Plata Highway (Colorado Highway 140) near Breen, attracts ranchers, farmers and those in the cattle industry from far and wide.

Former Durango resident Steve Greenburg has been attending the High Country Cattle auction for more than 40 years, and continues to travel to Breen all the way from Arizona, where he now lives. He attended the September auction last week, where around 1,200 animals were up for sale. Greenburg said effective bidding takes concentration and a practiced hand. “You want to make sure you don’t pay too much,” he said. “And if you do, you want to buy the business.” Amber Belvin, employee of 15 years and Chris’ operations “sidekick,” said bidders are most often looking for signs of good health in an animal, like a plump, filled-out body. If bidding on a herd, a look of uniformity among the animals is key to a good purchase, she said.

Despite Greenburg already having a handful of filled out bidding cards marking the cattle he had won within an hour of the Sept. 23 auction, he said the day was young. One sale day last year culminated in Greenburg taking home 22 semi-trucks worth of cattle, he said. Chris said Greenburg is one of the auction’s longest-term and most generous supporters. “(Greenburg) pays top-dollar,” Chris said. “And (that) makes me feel good, because we’re giving back to (the sellers). I know these people around here, and they’re the hardest working people on the planet. If I can get them 10 or 20 cents more per pound, then that makes us happy.”

Cattle auction prices have gone up in recent years, both at High Country and nationally, Chris said. This year, animals are going for $2,500 to $3,000 a head – double and triple the average prices from last year. The increase, Chris said, is in part because of a screw worm making the rounds in cattle in Mexico, which has lowered the number of cattle coming in from the south, along with people subdividing and selling cattle branches, and local cattle herd numbers diminishing, which has increased demand.

Chris called the price increase “good and bad.” “It’s great if you’re a seller, because there’s prices that you’ve never seen before,” she said. “Older men come in, (and they) can’t believe the prices. Some of them do this for a living, and they count on that, so they’re so happy.” Belvin said some smaller farmers opt to buy less cattle during price surges like this, but echoed Chris’ sentiment about sellers being ecstatic about the unprecedented profit.

Local cattle farmer Lawrence Martinez entered 59 steers and 95 heifers in the auction Tuesday. Martinez has been involved in the High Country Cattle Auction “pretty much forever,” but recent years have been especially fruitful for sales, he said. “These last few years, we’ve been coming here to sell, because this is the place to go,” he said. “I wouldn’t sell anywhere else. (The market here has) been so good.”The auction’s community roots and generational touch doesn’t stop at the Cugnini family: Shane Hatch, the auctioneer, took over the job after his father’s death, Belvin said.

The auction serves as an opportunity for community members to get together and bond, Belvin said. “When we do have an auction, it’s a great place where local farmers and ranchers can get together and talk,” she said. “They come to the cafe, and they talk about the hay, and the drought situation, and I think it’s a good connecting point.” Chris and Belvin both expressed feeling glad the auction can supply so much generational value to the local farming and ranching community. “I mean, what other business can you think of around here that’s the same, right?” Belvin said. “We’re fair, and we’re very meticulous at our jobs. We take it very seriously, because this is (some peoples’) livelihood.”

For the Cugninis – and long-term employees like Belvin, who have become an honorary part of the close-knit High Country Cattle Auction family – the heart of the business aligns with the heart of the local farming and ranching community. “We’re just good, hard working people – Americans – that want to make a good living, and live off this great land,” Belvin said. epond@durangoherald.com

Family run, generational business dates back to 1940s

Photos: Ride with the Champions bike parade

Photos: Changing colors

Photos: Fort Lewis College Volleyball sweeps Black Hills StateSkyhawks off to best start since 2006

Skyhawks off to best start since 2006

Photos: Durango High School football takes on Piedra Vista High SchoolDemons’ defense dominates in 17-0 victory on Friday night

Demons’ defense dominates in 17-0 victory on Friday night

Skyhawks beat Lubbock Christian 2-1 in season opener on Thursday

Photos: Four Corners Motorcycle RallyLots of motorcycles and tattoos were on display on Saturday

Lots of motorcycles and tattoos were on display on Saturday

Photos: Four Corners Motorcycle Rally Rodeo

Photos: Durango High School football opens its seasonDemons lost 35-14 to Montrose at home on Friday night

Demons lost 35-14 to Montrose at home on Friday night

2024 forecasts show less water will flow into Lake Powell. Don’t panic, experts say

Comments accepted on HD Mountains drilling plan

How a gas utility fought to keep two Colorado towns hooked on fossil fuels

Colorado pitches even more “intensity” caps on oil and gas to help fight ozone

Tesla closer to coming to Durango after city OKs service contract with electric vehicle manufacturer

New EPA methane emissions rules celebrated by some, cause concern for others

City, fire district to tackle prescribed burns in parks and trails around Durango

Colorado’s recycling rates are atrocious. Here’s how one Denver-area restaurant is trying to change that.

New federal grants will help Colorado groups address environmental injustices across the state

Nation and region’s climate worsening, but can still be improved, says new federal assessment

Dam on the Arkansas River near Salida finally removed after years of rescues, drownings and environmental impacts

Agreement ends domestic sheep grazing on 100,000 acres near Silverton

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