The Cortez Balloon Glow in Parque de Vida on Aug. 4, 2023. (Colette Czarnecki/The Journal)

In Southwest Colorado, where the corner meets three other states, life exists where the mesas meet the mountains, where the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe reside and pickup trucks, ranching and dusty roads are an everyday occurrence. For a glimpse of time in 2023, I captured life in the four corners area and learned about cattle ranching, hot air balloons, death cafes and then some at The Journal.