With nearly one million visits and about 4.5 million pages read, 2020 has been the most successful year yet for KiowaCountyPress.net

As the year comes to a close, let’s take a look at some of the most popular of the 2,800+ articles published this year.

1. President signs executive orders to extend unemployment benefits, suspend some payroll taxes – The COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, and its effects, dominated the news this year. When President Trump signed orders to extend benefits, tens of thousands of our readers we eager to see details.
2. Dear Dietitian – What’s the real story with apple cider vinegar? – Diet fads, including apple cider vinegar, draw interest for those looking to improve their health. Leanne McCrate sorts out the facts and fictions around trends.
3. New state boards and commissions appointments announced – Political appointments in Colorado are always a popular topic, including this posting from September which included several area residents.
4. Everything You Should Know Before Moving To Colorado – As Colorado continues to attract new residents, many more are looking for tips about living in our beautiful state.
5. Colorado begins sending out $375 stimulus payments – As hopes for a new federal stimulus faded in early December, following a special legislative session, Colorado offered its own in-state payment program to help families weather the effects of COVID-19 restrictions and job losses.
6. Colorado statewide fishing report and conditions – January 3, 2020 – Fishing is just one of many popular outdoor activities in Colorado, and people flock to the latest condition reports.
7. Colorado students on Montana State University fall 2019 honor roll – Colorado is one of the most educated states, and our students successfully seek opportunities across the nation to expand their horizons.
8. Ramah teen awarded Colorado Simmental Association youth grant – At just 14, Charley Maranville is embracing every activity she can, and has a passion for cattle and the rural way of life – which earned a grant from the Colorado Simmental Association. 
9. The $2,922 monthly cost of living in Pueblo County is the lowest in Colorado – Southern Colorado is a great place to live, and Pueblo County is one of the most affordable places to do so.
10. Lamar ranks the poorest of Colorado towns, study finds – Of towns with a population of 1,000-25,000 in the state, Lamar in Prowers County was ranked as the poorest in a 24/7 Wall St. study.
11. Storms, hail, tornadoes expected in southwest Kansas, thunderstorm watch issued – Colorado was spared most severe spring and summer storms (as well as much-needed moisture), however neighboring states like Kansas were less fortunate.
12. Investigation underway following Baca County shooting, second law enforcement shooting in southeast Colorado this month – Kiowa and Baca counties were the sites of two fatal officer-involved shootings during April, leading to investigations.
13. Benefits of a Diesel Engine – Gasoline, electric, hydrogen, and more are options for powering vehicles – so is diesel.
14. Opinion: Prop 113 gives voice to Colorado conservatives – Proposition 113 on the Colorado ballot would be another step in replacing the Electoral College with a popular vote for president.
15. Federal disaster declared in Colorado for COVID-19 – The COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic quickly overwhelmed the planet. In the United States, every state and territory – for the first time – received a disaster declaration.
16. Why masks are a religious issue – Wearing face coverings to help slow the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus became a political issue. Masks were also framed as a religious freedom issue, but are they?
17. Letter to the Editor - An air medical program membership is not right for you – Kathleen Mayer, Program Director for Flight for Life Colorado, argues that memberships in emergency medical air transportation programs are being marketed through fear and incorrect information.
18. Detour for Highway 50 construction between Fowler and Manzanola starts in March – Rural highways in Colorado are slowly receiving the repairs and attention they desperately need.
19. Three tornado warnings issued for southeast Colorado Tuesday, two spotted near Sugar City – While the summer weather was mostly calm and far to dry – a few high-risk storms did crop up in southeast Colorado.
20. Coronavirus may wane this summer, but don't count on any seasonal variation to end the pandemic – Some people claimed that COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic infections could fall during the summer – not everyone agreed.
21. One dead following incident with Kiowa County Sheriff’s Deputies – The first of two fatal officer-involved shootings in southeast Colorado during April (also see number 12) left a Kiowa County man dead.
22. Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease confirmed in El Paso, Prowers counties – A highly contagious disease in rabbits was identified in Colorado, including El Paso and Prowers counties.
23. Physicists hunt for room-temperature superconductors that could revolutionize the world's energy system – The vast amount of energy used by global computer systems, as well as lost during transmission, cries out for alternatives.
24. Pine Gulch Fire explodes to 42,000 acres, Grizzly Creek at 3,200 after two days – The Pine Gulch Fire became the largest in state history, only to be surpassed – twice – over the next three months.
25. Movie Review - 1917 – One of the few movies to make it theatres in 2020, “1917” takes a look at just one 24-hour period during World War I.