Items by Allen Best

When crossing the border is your daily commute
When crossing the border is your daily commute
A day in the life of agricultural laborers whose work and lives straddle the Arizona-Mexican border.
Ski areas add warm-weather options
Ski areas add warm-weather options
Forest Service has made it easier for resorts to include summer activities.
How this year’s general election repeats history
How this year’s general election repeats history
The messy 2016 presidential election echoes deeply flawed candidates of the past.
Let’s be clear: TSA’s new tactics are bribery
Let’s be clear: TSA’s new tactics are bribery
A new program lets you cut in line at security, for a fee.
It’s time to put a price on carbon
It’s time to put a price on carbon
The United States should set a persuasive example for the rest of the world.
The tiny Nebraska town where Keystone opposition began
Lessons from the Animas River: dig first, clean up later
Cloud seeding is still a work in progress
Considering historical correctness in New Mexico
He’s the linchpin of a remote western Colorado town
The lessons of Ludlow, 100 years later
77 years later, here comes pot
77 years later, here comes pot
The history of marijuana is clouded by racism and muddled thinking.
Go Lambkins! But no go Redskins?
Go Lambkins! But no go Redskins?
The controversial territory of mascot names.
A Colorado carpenter takes a chance on hemp
A Colorado carpenter takes a chance on hemp
Can an agrarian insurrection revitalize this High Plains town?
Telluride voters will find sugar on the ballot
Telluride voters will find sugar on the ballot
The pros and cons of banning sugary sodas in a mountain resort town of Colorado.
In describing weather, remember the caveats
In describing weather, remember the caveats
The numbers get squirrely when it comes to explaining massive flooding.
We need a locagua movement
We need a locagua movement
Hard choices for an uncertain future
Hard choices for an uncertain future
After seeing a talk by climate activist Tim DeChristopher, the author wonders: which energy source is the lesser of many evils?
Aspen, Colo. environmental community split over small hydro
Aspen, Colo. environmental community split over small hydro
Reviving a small hydroelectric plant on Castle Creek was supposed to help the city's utility get closer to providing 100 percent carbon free electricity as part of an effort to fight climate change. Instead, it's kicked up a furor.
Smug alert
Smug alert
None of us are without sin when it comes to using energy.
Keystone XL is still a questionable pipeline
Keystone XL is still a questionable pipeline
As the pipeline route is decided, ranchers worry about impacts to water quality in the case of spills
Global climate change: We need to talk about it
Global climate change: We need to talk about it
It's hard for journalists to talk about climate change, but they need to keep telling the story, especially when writing about natural disasters.
Sometimes environmentalists miss the boat
Sometimes environmentalists miss the boat
Colorado environmentalists goofed when they opposed a bill that would have harnessed the methane produced by coal mines as a form of renewable energy.
Unfinished zombie housing developments haunt the rural West
Unfinished zombie housing developments haunt the rural West
Lack of planning rules and the housing bubble led to dead subdivisions plaguing the West, especially in Teton County, Idaho, where locals are trying to deal with the impacts of the real estate bust, yet still arguing if planning even works.
A ski town contributes mightily to paleontology
A ski town contributes mightily to paleontology
The fossils found near Colorado's Snowmass Village have a lot to teach us: not just about mastodons and mammoths, but also about the climate and ecosystem that existed tens of thousands of years ago.
The gift of runoff in a wet season
The gift of runoff in a wet season
After too many recent dry years, residents of the Rocky Mountains are relishing the music of running water.
Three Cups of Tea, the sequel
Three Cups of Tea, the sequel
The fallout from the fracas over Greg Mortenson's book, "Three Cups of Tea," ranges from Afghanistan to Montana and the Mountainfilm Festival in Telluride, Colo.
Don't blame it all on global climate change
Don't blame it all on global climate change
Climate change is a problem, but that doesn’t mean it’s responsible for every bad thing that happens in the West.
Compassionate listening, fierce conversation
Compassionate listening, fierce conversation
Photographer Meredith Ogilby and writer Corinne Platt interview 49 Western "heavy-lifters" in their new book, Voices of the American West.
Here's to a water czar with the unlikely name of Chips
Here's to a water czar with the unlikely name of Chips
The late "Chips" Barry, executive director of Denver Water Board, changed that formidable institution for the best.
High Country News Classifieds
  • ENVIRONMENTAL AND CONSTRUCTION GEOPHYSICS
    We characterize contaminated sites and locate buried drums, tanks, debris and also find groundwater.
  • DEVELOPMENT OFFICER
    Are you a supporter of public lands and interested in a career in the nonprofit sector? Grand Teton National Park Foundation is hiring a Development...
  • RANCH GENERAL MANAGER
    Ranch General Manager for a large family-owned Ranch on the island of Molokai, Hawaii. Diversified operations include: an agro-tourism educational retreat center, renewable energy and...
  • COMMUNICATIONS AND PROJECT COORDINATOR CONTRACTOR
    POSITION SUMMARY: The Communications and Project Coordinator will support the Executive Director (ED) in campaign and administrative related tasks. The Coordinator is responsible for research...
  • HOMESICK: WHY HOUSING IS UNAFFORDABLE AND HOW WE CAN CHANGE IT
    A timely, damning, and ultimately hopeful investigation of housing in the United States. Essential reading in the West.
  • OREGON AGRICULTURAL LAND EASEMENT (ALE) PROGRAM COORDINATOR
    Status: Full time Reports to: Conservation Program Manager Salary Range: $60,000-65,000 Duration: Position is funded for 12 months, with the expectation of annual renewal Benefits:...
  • VICE PRESIDENT OF CONSERVATION
    The Vice President of Conservation will arrive at a time of remarkable growth and opportunity within the organization. Guided by the bold and ambitious goals...
  • WINTER WILDLANDS ALLIANCE IS HIRING!
    Help us inspire and empower people to protect America's wild snowscapes! We are a small, mighty and growing team dedicated to our work and looking...
  • EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR- ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION COMMITTEE OF WEST MARIN
    The EAC's Executive Director provides overall leadership for the operation of the organization. The Executive Director is responsible for implementing programs and policies set by...
  • UTE LEGENDS
    These carefully researched stories reflect a deep and abiding understanding of Ute culture and history. These authintic, colorful legends also illustrate the Ute's close connections...
  • FUNDRAISING ASSOCIATE - HIGH COUNTRY NEWS
    High Country News seeks an organized and collaborative Fundraising Associate to drive donor discovery and the cultivation and acquisition of mid-level and recurring gifts. This...
  • MONTANA CONSERVATION ASSOCIATE
    GYC is hiring! Please see our careers page for more details greateryellowstone.org/careers
  • 12 ACRES IN EAGLE, COLORADO!
    Tranquility & land are becoming more and more rare. This land is a haven for peace, where nature beckons & flourishes. Enjoy the mountain views...
  • SURGICAL SHARPENING SERVICE
    is a Denver-based mail order surgical instrument sharpening service established in 2009. Specialties include surgical scissors, dental elevators, trocar sets, and gynecological biopsy forceps.
  • EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
    California Coalition for Rural Housing (CCRH) seeks a strategic and visionary Executive Director: View all job details here- https://bit.ly/CCRHED
  • MONTANA BLUES
    Thrilling new crime novel by ex-HCN editor Ray Ring : A rural White horsewoman and an urban Black man battle White supremacists in a tough...
  • CANYONLANDS FIELD INSTITUTE
    Field seminars for adults in natural and human history of the northern Colorado Plateau, with lodge and base camp options. Small groups, guest experts.
  • COMING TO TUCSON?
    Popular vacation house, everything furnished. Two bedroom, one bath, large enclosed yards. Dog-friendly. Contact Lee at [email protected] or 520-791-9246.
  • WESTERN NATIVE SEED
    Native plant seeds for the Western US. Trees, shrubs, grasses, wildflowers and regional mixes. Call or email for free price list. 719-942-3935. [email protected] or visit...