Back to profile

Matt Stensland

Stories by Matt

Tease photo

Lowell Whiteman graduates told to give

Two-time Olympian and The Lowell Whiteman School alumnus Ryan Heckman shared his advice for being successful with the school’s 14 graduates Saturday.

Tease photo

Hayden resident accused of trying to run over man with car

Hayden man faces felonies

A Hayden man faces two felony charges after an incident in Hayden on Wednesday where police say a 28-year-old man was partially run over and dragged by a car.

Steamboat police investigating how drunken man was injured

The Steamboat Springs Police Department is investigating what happened to a 22-year-old Steamboat Springs man who was found early Friday morning on Lincoln Avenue near Conestoga Circle.

Tease photo

High winds forecast for Routt County on Saturday increase fire danger

Officials urge caution during holiday weekend

Conditions remain ripe for wildfires in Routt County, which has local officials urging people to use caution during the holiday weekend. A red flag warning has been issued through this evening as a result of low humidity, dry vegetation and strong winds that could include 70 mph gusts this afternoon.

Tease photo

Steamboat police to increase enforcement of trash rules in face of nuisance bears

The black bear that fell from a tree Wednesday after being tranquilized is OK, and Steamboat Springs Police Department officials said they're going be more aggressive in enforcing rules meant to keep bears out of trash cans and Dumpsters.

Tease photo

Shell Oil makes its pitch at Steamboat open house

Shell Oil’s Matt Holman left no doubt about his company’s desire during an open house it hosted Wednesday at the Steamboat Springs Community Center.

Tease photo

Bear takes a plunge in Steamboat Springs

Animal wedges itself between branches after being tranquilized

Steamboat Springs Fire Rescue firefighters got an unusual call Wednesday when a black bear did not fall from the tree in which it was tranquilized.

Tease photo

Yampa River Festival to be held during the holiday weekend

This weekend, Steamboat Springs residents will celebrate 270 miles of recreational opportunities during the 32nd annual Yampa River Festival. Numerous events are planned for Saturday and Sunday leading up to the Paddling Life Open professional kayaking competitions Monday.

State Supreme Court to decide on issue in Steamboat child sex assault case

Prosecution and defense at odds over whether alleged victim should have to testify during the preliminary hearing. A ruling from the state Supreme Court might not come until July.

Tease photo

Space Station coming together in Oak Creek

Steamboat Springs resident Eric Dorris is nearing completion of a new Space Station gas station and convenience store to help supply the inhabitants of Oak Creek.

Tease photo

Lower flows forecast for Yampa River

Forecasts call for the Yampa River to surge one more time before plunging to levels that could allow commercial tubing operations in Steamboat Springs to begin. If the forecast for rains proves accurate, flows on the Yampa where it heads through downtown Steamboat could grow to 1,400 cubic feet per second tonight. But by the end of next week, flows are expected to drop to below 700 cfs and continue a quick downward trend.

Tease photo

Longtime Routt County court clerk moving back home, starting new job

With a newly applied Steamboat bumper sticker, Tracey Epley will get in her Subaru and go back to Houston on Sunday, possibly listening to a little Dean Martin along the way.

Tease photo

Creek flowing at Steamboat Ski Area base

The soothing sounds of waterfalls and a gurgling creek are now audible at the base of Steamboat Ski Area after a much-anticipated water feature was turned on Tuesday.

Tease photo

Hummer joins Routt County Sheriff's Office fleet

Sheriff’s Office adds vehicle to help SWAT team with operations

A Hummer transport vehicle has been added to Routt County’s fleet to help the SWAT team with its tactical operations.

Tease photo

Fire mitigation efforts restart in Stagecoach

For the second summer, grant money is allowing firefighters in South Routt County to help residents protect their homes from wildfires.The $173,000 project includes the cost of equipment and for three firefighters to work in the Stagecoach area this summer. Another firefighter will join the project later to help burn slash piles once the snow begins to fall.

Data: Visitor numbers flat for Steamboat

Economic analyst says tourism numbers this season comparable to 2010-11

A local group of data diggers is taking a new approach at figuring out how many people are visiting Steamboat Springs, and the results might be surprising.

Steamboat man involved in motorcycle crash still listed in serious condition

The Colorado State Patrol has identified the man involved in the motorcycle crash Monday near Colorado Highway 131 and Routt County Road 14 as Niall McNeice, 24, of Steamboat Springs.

US Highway 40 paving project to start in June

$3.7M to be spent resurfacing 6-mile stretch between Steamboat, Hayden

The Colorado Department of Transportation will spend $3.7 million this summer to resurface a six-mile stretch of U.S. Highway 40 between Steamboat Springs and Hayden.

Tease photo

Army reservists pitch in for Routt County Habitat home

With a nail gun in hand, a group of Army reservists moved board by board Friday to help close in a new Routt County Habitat for Humanity duplex on Steamboat Springs’ west side.

Small wildfire in northern Routt County extinguished

The fire is thought to have started when tree branches touching a power line caught fire and fell to the ground. The fire burned about one-tenth of an acre.

Steamboat Springs horse rider takes plea deal

Michael Miller’s December pub crawl on horseback will remain one of Steamboat Springs’ more memorable news events. Five months later, it appears Miller’s legal troubles are over.

Tease photo

Former firefighter must register as sex offender

A Phippsburg man will have to register as a sex offender for at least a decade and will be on probation for as many as five years after pleading guilty to one count of unlawful sexual contact.

Drought persists; some burns allowed in Routt County

Despite restrictions on fires and burning in Routt County, residents might notice a few agricultural burns taking place.

Philo Shelton resigns as Steamboat's public works director

The city of Steamboat Springs is looking for a new public works director to replace Philo Shelton, who is leaving to take a job in Los Alamos, N.M.

Tease photo

Steamboat rebate program to boost water conservation

Local water providers have launched a rebate program to encourage residents to conserve treated water, and the city of Steamboat Springs is looking to lead by example.

Tease photo

Heifer gives birth to triplets in North Routt

Weather makes spring cattle calving season easy on ranchers

Warm, dry weather has resulted in an uneventful calving season in Routt County with the exception of one, or rather three, surprises: Matt Belton's Angus Hereford cross cow gave birth to triplets April 22.

Steamboat residents asked to conserve water

Local water providers and Steamboat Springs officials are asking residents to conserve water in light of continued dry conditions and an extended irrigation season.

Burglaries reported in Steamboat's Fairview neighborhood

The Steamboat Springs Police Department is investigating several homes and cars that have been broken into in recent weeks.

Rules proposed for Colorado roadless national forest land

Local officials say proposed rules for roadless national forest land in Colorado will help protect homes and potentially human lives from wildfires.

Beauprez headlines Lincoln Day Dinner fundraiser in Steamboat

Event to be held at 5 p.m. Friday

Former Colorado gubernatorial candidate and U.S. congressman Bob Beauprez will headline a Friday fundraiser and dinner for local Republicans.

Bears in Routt County active, behaving

A mild winter has given way to a healthy local wildlife population, and Routt County’s black bear population appears to be behaving itself, a local wildlife official said.

Tease photo

North Routt to dish out top recipes at Sunday's chili cook-off

A mouth-watering event returns to North Routt County on Sunday with its usual friendly competition, a worthy cause and dozens of chilis to taste.

Routt County recognizes Month of the Young Child

Children will parade down Lincoln Avenue on Monday morning to raise awareness of the importance of early-childhood care and education.

Tease photo

Many US Forest Service roads still drying out in Routt County

Summer-like weather may be arriving early in Routt County, but many U.S. Forest Service roads remain closed because of wet conditions and snow.

Tease photo

Steamboat nears April precipitation average after storm

Fire restrictions to remain in place for foreseeable future

A storm that dropped nearly three-quarters of an inch of rain on Steamboat Springs late this week is helping April creep closer to its precipitation norm.

Tease photo

Yampa Ranger District wildlife biologist honored by peers

From educating the public about bears to identifying toad and lynx habitats, U.S. Forest Service wildlife biologist Melissa Dressen has developed a career filled with variety and challenges.

Tease photo

Routt County sex assault charges related to 1 child victim

Court records show that former Heritage Christian School teacher John Brothers is suspected of sexually assaulting one child on eight occasions. The document also states that Brothers left Steamboat Springs in 2008 after being confronted “about inappropriate contacts with the child victim.”

Sexual assault charges bring sadness, shock to Routt County

The allegations against a former teacher of sexually assaulting at least one child have left the Heritage Christian School community shocked and saddened.

Tease photo

19 child sex charges filed against ex-Steamboat teacher, pastor

John Holland Brothers Jr., a former Steamboat private school teacher and pastor, has been arrested on suspicion of sexually assaulting one or more children in Routt County.

Tease photo

Routt County commissioners approve fire restrictions

Officials hope fire restrictions that go into effect Wednesday will limit future wildfires, particularly the preventable ones seen recently in Routt County.

New trail signs in Steamboat help guide the way

A crop of signs has sprouted along trails in Steamboat Springs with the goal of making it easier for people to explore and use the city’s trail network.

Tease photo

Wildfire costs mount for Routt County

An early wildfire season amid extremely dry conditions has local officials drawing comparisons to Routt County’s last big fire season of 2002.

Wildlife investigation in Routt County produces additional charges

The Routt County District Attorney’s Office has filed a combined 32 misdemeanor charges and six felony charges against four Michigan men as a result of a joint investigation.

Man stable after head-on car crash west of Milner

A Denver man with family ties to Routt County is recovering after being involved in a head-on collision Tuesday on U.S. Highway 40.

Tease photo

Winter storm warning issued for Steamboat

A weekend storm is predicted to bring as much as 6 to 12 inches of snow to the Colorado mountains, including those surrounding Steamboat Springs.

Tease photo

Steamboat Ski Area gets ready for Springalicious

Springalicious complete with skiing and riding appears to be a go at Steamboat Ski Area.

Tease photo

Steamboat Olympian raises funds to help fight breast cancer

Olympic skier Tarsha Ebbern plans to climb the second-highest volcano in the U.S. with the hope of raising $20,000 for breast cancer prevention.

Tease photo

Routt County officials recommend fire restrictions

The Routt County Board of Commissioners will take action on the proposed fire restrictions at 3 p.m. Tuesday. Until then, fire officials are asking for the public's voluntary cooperation.

Steamboat Ski Area commits to being open until at least Thursday

Steamboat Ski Area officials say the resort will stay open at least through Thursday despite rapidly deteriorating snow conditions.

Tease photo

Wildfire burns an estimated 300 acres in Routt County

Weather prompts red flag warning for western Colorado

Area fire officials said Wednesday morning that they were nearing full containment of the Middle Creek Ranch wildfire. A red flag warning is in effect today, meaning high temperatures and sustained winds could lead to increased fire activity.

Older