Lightning strike disrupts TV translator service in Gateway
Mesa County is working to restore television service to rural residents after a lightning strike severely damaged the Far Pond antenna site in the Uncompahgre National Forest, near the Uncompahgre Rim Trail. The damage is impacting TV service for residents in the Gateway area.
The Far Pond site is part of Mesa County’s translator system, which rebroadcasts Grand Junction-based TV stations to remote areas that cannot receive direct over-the-air signals and do not have access to cable services. This system helps ensure residents in rural communities stay informed, especially during emergencies.
"This service is a communication link for residents who otherwise might not have reliable access to local news and emergency alerts," said Chair of the Board of Mesa County Commissioners Cody Davis. "We encourage residents in the affected area to sign up for cellphone emergency alerts through our website."
The damage was discovered after a storm late last week, and initial assessments confirmed a significant lightning strike at the remote mountaintop site. Gateway is currently the only area affected by the outage.
Crews are currently evaluating the extent of the damage and working to develop a repair plan. Due to the remote location and the complexity of the damage, including potential impacts on equipment, restoration could take several months. There is currently no estimated repair cost or firm timeline for service to resume, though a six-month outage is possible.
Mesa County will continue to share updates as more information becomes available.
To stay informed and receive emergency alerts by text or phone, visit: https://member.everbridge.net/892807736721759/login
