Finding Balance on the River: Water, Conservation & Life on the Western Slope with Claire Barker

From SEC Agent to Disc Golf Pro: The Gabe Baca Story

This week on WKRP Montrose, Dennis and Rob welcome Gabe Baca — IT professional, ranked disc golfer, single dad, and one of Montrose's most interesting residents. Gabe's journey to the Western Slope is anything but ordinary. From growing up in Denver to working seven years at the Securities and Exchange Commission in Washington DC (including during the Bernie Madoff era), attending med school at University of Colorado, and eventually landing in Montrose as a single father — Gabe's story is full of unexpected turns. Now a decade into his Montrose life, Gabe has become a fixture in the local community. Whether you know him from his years at the Montrose Recreation Center, catching him practicing disc golf at Baldrige Park, or need IT support from his company Forge Tech, Gabe has quietly become part of the fabric of this town. Dennis and Rob dive into: * Working enforcement at the SEC and investigating financial fraud cases * The transition from law and finance to medicine (and why he didn't finish med school) * What it's like being a single dad in a small town * Professional disc golf — Gabe is ranked 904th nationally and competes in tournaments across the region * His sponsorship with local company Ace is Fine * The challenge of dating in Montrose (and yes, they pitch a WKRP dating show) * Life in IT with Forge Tech and the future of managed service providers * The Baldrige Park debate: mountain bike park vs. disc golf course * Why Montrose is a great place for co-parenting * Starlink, streaming technology, and helping Montrose events go live Whether you're into disc golf, interested in the tech scene, or just curious about the people who make Montrose home, this conversation offers a genuine look at building a life on the Western Slope. 🎙️ Subscribe for more conversations about Montrose, Colorado, and life on the Western Slope. Get Montrose stories, events & local news in your inbox — free. https://wkrpmontrose.com/subscribe [https://wkrpmontrose.com/subscribe] Thank you to our Underwriters for Making WKRP Montrose Possible: * Clearnetworx - https://linkly.link/2akEO [https://linkly.link/2akEO] * NuVista Credit Union - https://linkly.link/2akEV [https://linkly.link/2akEV] * Flower Motor - https://linkly.link/2eIUO [https://linkly.link/2eIUO] * Atlasta Solar Center - https://linkly.link/2hsWS [https://linkly.link/2hsWS] Learn More: * Forge Tech IT Services: forgetech.pro * Professional Disc Golf Association (PDGA): pdga.com * Ace is Fine Disc Golf: [local sponsor] #WKRPMontrose #MontroseColorado #WesternSlope #DiscGolf #PDGA #ITServices #ColoradoPodcast #Montrose #SingleDad #SEC Timecode: 0:00 - 3:17: Introduction, sponsor shoutouts, and beer tasting with Pomona Brewing 3:17 - 7:14: Getting to know Gabe — From Denver to Colorado College to Washington DC 7:14 - 13:44: Working at the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Bernie Madoff era 13:44 - 18:50: Medical school, mountain rescue training, and the move to Montrose 18:50 - 23:00: Finding work in Montrose — From Target to the Hop Farm to the Recreation Center 23:00 - 28:00: The Baldrige Park controversy: bike park vs. disc golf course debate 28:00 - 33:40: Professional disc golf — PDGA rankings, tournaments, and sponsorships 33:40 - 38:30: Being Montrose's "most eligible bachelor" and the challenges of dating in a small town 38:30 - 43:00: Single parenting in Montrose and the benefits of co-parenting in a small community 43:00 - 48:30: Forge Tech, IT services, Starlink technology, and streaming solutions for local events

Mobility, Independence, and Rural Transit with Gary Clark | WKRP Montrose

This week on WKRP Montrose, Dennis and Rob sit down with Gary Clark, Director of All Points Transit, for a conversation about transportation, independence, and the growing needs of communities across the Western Slope. Gary shares his journey from Grand Junction to Montrose, his years traveling the world mapping roads and cities in more than 27 countries, and how he eventually found his way into public transit and community service. The conversation dives into the real impact All Points Transit has in Montrose — from helping seniors and residents with disabilities get to appointments, to giving local students and workers affordable ways to move around town. Gary explains how services like Dial-A-Ride, the MOD Express, and the new on-demand transit app are changing the way people think about transportation in rural Colorado. Dennis and Rob also talk about: * Why public transit matters in smaller communities * Fuel prices and transportation challenges * The importance of independence for seniors and young people * How the All Points Transit app works like a local Uber alternative * What transportation access means for the future of Montrose Whether you’ve used All Points Transit before or never thought much about public transportation in Montrose, this episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at a service that quietly impacts thousands of lives across the region. 🎙️ Subscribe for more conversations about Montrose, Colorado, and life on the Western Slope. Get Montrose stories, events & local news in your inbox — free. https://wkrpmontrose.com/subscribeThank you to our Underwriters for Making WKRP Montrose Possible:Clearnetworx - https://linkly.link/2akEONuVista Credit Union - https://linkly.link/2akEVFlower Motor - https://linkly.link/2eIUOAtlasta Solar Center - https://linkly.link/2hsWS #WKRPMontrose #MontroseColorado #AllPointsTransit #WesternSlope #PublicTransit #ColoradoPodcast #Montrose

Finding Balance on the River: Water, Conservation & Life on the Western Slope with Claire Barker

In this episode of WKRP Montrose, Dennis and Rob sit down with Claire Barker for a wide-ranging conversation about life on the Western Slope, fly fishing culture, and the growing concerns surrounding water conservation in Colorado. Claire shares her journey from Oklahoma City to Ridgway, how she transitioned from a career in accounting and mortgage lending into nonprofit work and the fly fishing industry, and why she’s passionate about protecting the region’s rivers and watersheds. The conversation explores everything from trout fishing and outdoor recreation to the realities of water rights, drought conditions, reservoir levels, and the future of the Colorado River Basin. Along the way, the episode also touches on life in mountain towns, the challenges facing Western communities, and how water impacts everything from agriculture and recreation to energy production and local economies. It’s an informative and entertaining discussion that breaks down a complicated issue in a way that’s approachable for anyone living on the Western Slope. Get Montrose stories, events & local news in your inbox — free. WKRP Montrose Subscribe Thank you to our Underwriters for Making WKRP Montrose Possible: Clearnetworx NuVista Credit Union Flower Motor Company Pomona Brewing Company

Finding Home in Montrose: Teenie Ricciardi on Journalism, Life & Community

In this episode of WKRP Montrose, Dennis and Rob are joined by journalist Tiney Ricciardi for a lively and wide-ranging conversation that blends personal stories with life on the Western Slope. Broadcasting from the Clear Networks studio in downtown Montrose, the episode opens with the usual humor and sponsor shoutouts before diving into Tiney's background and how she found her way to the community. Tiney shares her journey from growing up in Texas to working in journalism at the Dallas Morning News and later the Denver Post. She talks about adapting to the shift toward digital media, navigating the challenges of the industry, and how the pandemic ultimately gave her the opportunity to work remotely and relocate to Western Colorado. What started as a practical move turned into putting down roots in Montrose, where she now enjoys a slower pace of life, homeownership, and building a future in the community. The conversation also takes a more personal turn, as Tiney recounts her unconventional proposal story, her marriage, and her perspective on modern relationships and traditions. Along the way, the hosts explore topics like remote work, housing challenges during the pandemic, and what makes Montrose an appealing place to settle long-term. In addition to her journalism work, Tiney discusses her involvement in the local community, including helping organize Montrose Pride. The episode highlights the importance of storytelling, community connection, and creating spaces where people can come together.It’s a fun, candid, and insightful episode that mixes humor with meaningful conversation—offering listeners a closer look at one of the voices helping tell the stories of Montrose today. Thank you to our Underwriters for Making WKRP Montrose Possible: Clearnetworx - https://linkly.link/2akEO NuVista Credit Union - https://linkly.link/2akEV Flower Motor - https://linkly.link/2eIUO

From Hong Kong to Montrose, how Dr. Katie Stephens ended up back in the land of her father

Dr Katie Stephens takes us on a journey from her upbringing in Hong Kong to Medical School at the University of Manchester, to returning to her family's roots here in Colorado. We talk about a range of health topics and get a feel for her upcoming series on WKRP Montrose's "Health and Wellness playlist." Thank you for watching and please visit our Underwriters who make WKRP Montrose Possible: Clearnetworx - https://linkly.link/2akEONuVista Credit Union - https://linkly.link/2akEVFlower Motor - https://linkly.link/2eIUOAtlasta Solar Center - https://linkly.link/2hsWS