by Andrew Gulliford
Contributing writer
Recently a friend with sophisticated audio equipment and years of scientific research with bats stayed in room 431 at Bluff Dwellings.
Greg Auger explained to me that he recorded bats from sunset to sunrise on June 2, 2025 and studied a number of 15 second recordings.

The town of Bluff has been officially designated as an International Dark Sky Community by DarkSky International, joining a prestigious group of Dark Sky Places around the globe committed to preserving the night sky for future generations.
As of June 2025, Bluff is the first and only community to receive the DarkSky designation in San Juan County, and the sixth in Utah.

Friday Night at the Fort sponsored by Bluff Fort has been an entertainment staple in San Juan County for many years.  Continually inviting the best musical and entertaining artists to perform, Bluff Fort has built an enviable reputation.  

by David Boyle
News Director
Members of the Bluff town council had a busy April, finalizing a dark sky application, exploring more involvement at the cemetery and beginning talks for the next year budget at their meetings throughout the month.

by David Boyle
News Director
Hot air balloons are set to soar across the desert landscape in southern San Juan County this weekend.
Over 20 colorful balloons will take to the skies flying over the town of Bluff and nearby Valley of the Gods as organizers celebrate the 26th annual Bluff International Balloon Festival.

Celebrating its 20th year, the Bluff Arts Festival is an annual celebration of the arts and culture of the Four Corners region. Artists, writers, film makers, and musicians give their interpretation of their culture and talents in various Bluff settings surrounded by red rocks and golden cottonwoods.
The festival kicks off on Thursday, October 17 with Riverside Storytelling at the Recapture Lodge along the San Juan River.

by David Boyle
News Director
Navajo Nation voters participated in primary elections on Tuesday, July 30.
The primaries coincided with Arizona primary elections. Voters turned out in the 110 Navajo Nation Chapter Houses to cast their votes, which included elections in the seven Utah chapters.
Below are the unofficial election results according Navajo Election Administration.
Oljato

by Sally Jack
Contributing Writer
A new book, titled “Bluff Fort, Historic Site— Home of the Hole in the Rock Pioneers,” has just been published by the Hole in the Rock Foundation.

Eihaazbah Dejolie is 13 years old from Bluff, Utah. A member of the "Western Junior Rodeo Association". She does barrel racing, pole bending, goat tying and recently started breakaway. She was crowned Miss WJRA Queen in September 2023. As a part of her reign she has to sponsor a junior rodeo for WJRA. which will be held during the San Juan County Fair on August 3, 2024

Friday night at the Fort has been an entertaining highlight of San Juan County for several years. Boasting local as well as imported talent, this year’s talent lineup is certain to impress. As always, admission is free, as are refreshments following the performance. (Usually ice cream).

by David Boyle
News Director
A unique program that has brought architecture students to San Juan County to learn hands-on building celebrated held a 20-year celebration in March.

Inspired by the successful acquisition of the 320-acre Cottonwood Wash property last July, a private landowner conserving an adjacent 95-acre parcel with The Wildlands Conservancy.
“I’m delighted to be working with The Wildlands Conservancy, whose vision for permanent protection and commitment to Indigenous interests is deeply aligned with my own,” says Jenepher Stowell, the private landowner.

Hot air balloons will take to the sky this weekend in southern San Juan County. It’s anticipated 25 balloons will make a spectacular sight over Bluff, as the weekend marks the 25th annual Bluff Balloon Festival.
The annual balloon festival is organized by the Business Owners of Bluff and occurs each January during the Martin Luther King Jr. Day weekend.

Wes Shook

Gary Lichtenstein