Tuesday, September 15, 2026

The future of small-town Montana rides on public lands From Dupuyer to Columbia Falls, a look at the growing recreation economy.

The winds of Montana’s Rocky Mountain Front buffet the empty Dupuyer Elementary School. At one time the grasslands around it teemed with family-run ranches and Dupuyer was the heart of its region. In 1966 there were 63 students. In 2015, only one remained, with a lone teacher to instruct him. …
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 8 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO