The City of Durango 's annual spring clean-up, starting April 1st, encourages residents to prepare items like furniture and large appliances for collection, reminding them to separate yard waste from scrap metal and follow guidelines for placement. United Airlines is launching seasonal nonstop flights from George Bush International Airport in Houston to Durango-La Plata County Airport , providing more travel options for passengers from Southeast Texas. Colorado's fishing license sale for 2024-20...
Mar 27, 2024•4 min
A look inside the La Plata County Fairgrounds , a historic hub of community events and engagement in Durango, Colorado. Learn about the array of activities offered, from rodeos and 4-H fairs to educational programs facilitated by Colorado State University Extension. Discover the fairgrounds' commitment to affordability and accessibility, making it the perfect venue for all types of gatherings. By Sadie Smith. Watch this story at www.durangolocal.news/newsstories/la-plata-county-fairgrounds This ...
Mar 26, 2024•5 min
Warmer days mean a switch in cocktail menus across the southwest. As National Cocktail Month gives way to April, bar managers add fresh and light flavors to their menus. San Juan Sips Owner Stephanie Sarussi takes a floral approach to spring drinks. By Connor Shreve. Watch this story at www.durangolocal.news/newsstories/celebrating-national-cocktail-month This story is sponsored by Kroegers Ace Hardware and Serious Texas BBQ . Support the show...
Mar 26, 2024•3 min
The 8th annual benefit for the Uncompahgre River and 18th Annual F3T Fly Fishing Film Tour recently took place in Ridgway, Colorado, supporting the Uncompahgre Watershed Partnership. Attendees enjoyed diverse fly-fishing films while contributing to restoration projects and education initiatives aimed at enhancing the health of the watershed. Policymakers, including State Senator Cleave Simpson, emphasized the importance of protecting water resources amidst legal and environmental challenges. By ...
Mar 22, 2024•5 min
La Plata County has introduced the Wildfire Resource Center , an online platform providing comprehensive information on wildfire mitigation efforts, risk assessment, and preparation techniques for residential properties. The Southern Ute Indian Tribe 's annual spring clean-up is scheduled for April 18th-19th, offering services for tribal members and tenants within the tribal boundaries to dispose of household items. The community is invited to join the Easter Egg Hunt on March 23rd at SunUte Par...
Mar 21, 2024•3 min
Dr. John Hoerl of Durango High School has been awarded the 2024 Colorado Principal of the Year by the Colorado Association of School Executives , recognizing his substantial contributions to the school's progress. La Plata County has launched the Wildfire Resource Center , an online hub providing residents with crucial information on wildfire mitigation efforts, funding opportunities, and techniques to protect residential properties. The upcoming Engage Durango forum on March 26th will feature u...
Mar 20, 2024•5 sec
Colorado Parks and Wildlife received 3,526 reports of sightings and conflicts with bears in 2023, which is a 21 percent decrease from previous years. That’s largely due to healthy natural forage production last season. It’s still too early to tell how 2024 will shape up. The vast majority of calls involve bears trying to access human food sources, with trash remaining the number one source of conflicts. By Connor Shreve. Watch this story at www.durangolocal.news/newsstories/be-bear-aware-to-keep...
Mar 19, 2024•3 min
The Durango Arts Repertory Theatre presents Hand to God , an irreverent dark comedy written by Robert Askins and directed by Fort Lewis College Theatre Professor Michael McKelvey. Hand to God runs from March 15th through March 31st at the Durango Arts Center. This play carries a parental advisory for its adult language and content and is not suitable for all audiences. Tickets can be purchased online or at the Durango Arts Center box office. By Jessica McCallum. Watch this story at www.durangolo...
Mar 15, 2024•5 min
Durango is abuzz with sustainability initiatives and community development. Durango Green Drinks offers monthly gatherings for networking and learning about local sustainability efforts, hosting nearly 30 organizations throughout the year. La Plata Open Space Conservancy received accreditation, joining a nationwide network focused on land conservation. The Durango City Council approved an agreement for the development of 30 affordable housing units at the former Animas High School site in Twin B...
Mar 13, 2024•4 min
The Durango High School The Demons hockey team captured the 4A State Championship by beating Summit 4-2 in Denver on March 5th. The accomplishment came just two years after Durango moved from a club team to a sanctioned varsity team under the Colorado High School Activities Association regulations. The win marks a banner year for Durango Hockey, which celebrated major accomplishments across most of its age designations in 2023/24. By Connor Shreve. Watch this story at www.durangolocal.news/newss...
Mar 12, 2024•3 min
Durango-based non-profit Wheelie Cool operates with one goal: get more kids on bikes as early as possible. In past years, founder Fynn Funke has built trails near local schools to accomplish that mission. In 2024, Funke’s non-profit will host a series of week-long bike rodeos at Durango elementary schools to teach young students how to ride. By Connor Shreve. Watch this story at www.durangolocal.news/newsstories/durango-non-profit-brings-bikes-to-kids This story is sponsored by Payroll Departmen...
Mar 12, 2024•4 min
The Colorado Department of Transportation has three upcoming projects occurring in La Plata County this coming summer. Projects range from chip seal operations on US Highway 160, safety improvements along Main Avenue including single replacement and traffic flow enhancements, and completing the US Highway 160 and 550 connection project. The connection project at Grand View will improve safety and accessibility and will include wildlife underpasses and a planned extension to a four-lane highway. ...
Mar 11, 2024•5 min
Durango's The Women’s Resource Center is celebrating Women's History Month with a series of events emphasizing diversity, equity, and inclusion. The month kicked off with a chocolate and wine tasting on March 7th, followed by a photo exhibit at the Durango Public Library on March 12th. Additional events include a diversity panel on March 18th, a WomenAid fundraiser on March 20th, and the culminating Extraordinary Women Award Dinner on March 27th at the DoubleTree hotel, honoring women who exempl...
Mar 08, 2024•3 min
Soil Outdoor Learning Lab has reached its fundraising goal of $75,000 and plans to begin construction on a new Grow Dome, a geodesic greenhouse for year-round gardening, before the end of the school year. The City of Durango is seeking artists and creative teams to contribute art installations along three stretches of the Animas River Trail , with applications due by March 29th. Durango Hot Springs is reintroducing live music on Tuesdays and Thursdays in March, featuring various artists. Additio...
Mar 07, 2024•3 min
Ignite Reading emerges as a force against declining literacy, delivering personalized virtual tutoring for significant student advancement. With a focus on individual needs, Ignite closes reading proficiency gaps and revolutionizes educational outcomes. Ignite Reading recently held a showcase at Sunnyside Elementary School to offer 9R School District leaders the chance to learn more about the program. By Sadie Smith. Watch this story at www.durangolocal.news/newsstories/ignite-reading-closing-th...
Mar 06, 2024•4 min
La Plata County Public Health Department plays a crucial role in safeguarding the community's well-being. Beyond behavioral health and communicable disease prevention, the department oversees on-site water testing, waste management, and rigorous restaurant inspections. Megan Graham highlights these vital responsibilities, emphasizing the department's commitment to the overall health and safety of the community. By Sadie Smith. Watch this story at www.durangolocal.news/newsstories/la-plata-county...
Mar 05, 2024•5 min
Durango High School Troupe 1096 presents the satirical comedy musical Urinetown from February 29th through March 9th at Durango High School. Urinetown envisions a dystopic future where water shortages have led to government regulation and corporate control of bathroom use, and the divide between the rich and the poor comes down to the right to pee freely. The critically acclaimed, Tony Award-winning musical is known for its clever storytelling and impressive musical score. Troupe 1096’s producti...
Mar 01, 2024•5 min
The Fort Lewis College Theatre Department presents the award-winning one-act play The Wolves , written by Sarah Delappe and directed by Associate Professor Felicia Lansbury Meyer. The play features an all-female cast and centers on the conversations of a high school girls’ soccer team. The Wolves runs from February 29th through March 3rd at the Gallery Theatre in the Fort Lewis College Theatre Building. By Jessica McCallum. Watch this story at www.durangolocal.news/newsstories/fort-lewis-college...
Feb 29, 2024•4 min
32 students from Ignacio Middle and High Schools attended the San Juan Basin Regional Science Fair at Fort Lewis College. A handful of students joined the competitive portion of the event, like Sophomores Evan Perkins and Max Montoya. Judges awarded Montoya and Perkins third place for their A.I.-based voice recognition project. The fair is a collaborative effort to encourage learning and exploration through the scientific process. By Connor Shreve. Watch this story at www.durangolocal.news/newss...
Feb 28, 2024•3 min
The brainchild of snowboarder Travis Rice, the Natural Selection Tour showcases the world’s top riders from Olympians to big mountain film icons all competing on the world’s most iconic locations. Natural Selection DUELS feature six mountain venues from around the world, where head-to-head competition between two top riders will decide who moves on to the next stages in the Natural Selection Tour . By Connor Shreve. Watch this story at www.durangolocal.news/newsstories/snowboard-tour-features-du...
Feb 27, 2024•4 min
Beverage businesses can lose as much as ten percent of revenue during January. But “dry-January” represents a trend that goes beyond one month. Drinking less, or not at all is becoming accepted culturally, and businesses are taking note. Tesstastic Mixers opened in October, with an equal focus on alcoholic and non-alcoholic offerings. By Connor Shreve. Watch this video at www.durangolocal.news/newsstories/mocktail-momentum This story is sponsored by Sky Ute Casino Resort and Serious Texas BBQ . ...
Feb 23, 2024•3 min
The City of Durango plans to contribute $250,000 to the Housing Catalyst Fund to support housing projects in La Plata County , building on previous grants. The 2024 DurangoScape Conference theme centers on native plants and climate adaptation, with featured speakers including Ross Shrigley and John Wickman. Additionally, the Powerhouse received a $100,000 nonprofit grant to enhance its services, while the Colorado Department of Revenue announced the start of tax season for 2023 income tax return...
Feb 21, 2024•4 min
There’s something exciting about seeing a movie or a tv show and recognizing the landmarks. With the opening of a film backlot - a place created to provide a backdrop for a scene - in San Juan County , Four Corners residents may soon be able to see the place we call home featured on-screen. With growing interest in the film industry and tax breaks for New Mexico, San Juan County hopes to draw in both the shows themselves, but also the people who make the movie magic happen. By Hannah Robertson. ...
Feb 16, 2024•4 min
Dan Korman, owner/broker of Alpenglow Properties in downtown Durango, CO, highlights a data packed episode outlining real estate numbers of 2023. Some of the stats include average price, number of sales, as well as some commercial real estate insights and predictions for the future. By Dan Korman. Watch this story at www.durangolocal.news/newsstories/durango-real-estate-2023-statistics This story is sponsored by Alpenglow Properties . Support the show...
Feb 15, 2024•4 min
Durango School District 9-R has partnered with energy solutions provider Veregy for solar power and energy improvements across ten district schools and sites, reducing carbon emissions by 1,836 metric tons annually. Fort Lewis College will host a screening and discussion of the film "making of buffalo soldiers: reVision," exploring the complex history of the Buffalo Soldier regiments, followed by a panel discussion with artists involved in the creation of the exhibition. Amidst ongoing winter st...
Feb 14, 2024•5 sec
Experience MakerLab , a vibrant community fostering creativity, collaboration, and innovation with shared tools and boundless imagination. Operated entirely by volunteers, MakerLab is a community-driven haven equipped with diverse tools for metalworking, woodworking, textiles, 3D printing, and more. From industrial sewing to cutting-edge 3D printers, MakerLab empowers members to bring their ideas to life. By Sadie Smith. Watch this story at www.durangolocal.news/newsstories/innovate-and-create-m...
Feb 13, 2024•5 min
Ever wondered about the impactful work behind the scenes at La Plata County ? Explore the heart of our community with Ted Holteen, the Public and Governmental Affairs Manager. La Plata County, spanning unincorporated areas outside Ignacio, Bayfield, Durango, and the Southern Ute Tribe Reservation, is actively engaged in diverse projects. From funding initiatives for affordable housing to enhancing road infrastructure, the county is dedicated to fostering a thriving community. By Sadie Smith. Wat...
Feb 12, 2024•4 min
Merely Players invites audiences to a unique and profound theatrical experience at the regional premiere of Bess Wohl’s critically acclaimed play Small Mouth Sounds . Set at a silent retreat, six individuals confront their suffering as they search for meaning and spiritual growth. Small Mouth Sounds runs from February 9th to February 18th at Merely Underground in the Durango Tech Center. By Jessica McCallum. Watch this story at www.durangolocal.news/newsstories/merely-players-presents-small-mout...
Feb 09, 2024•5 min
Celebrate the exceptional contributions of your favorite teachers through the inaugural Golden Apple of La Plata County Award ! If your child is eligible for early access to kindergarten or first grade for Ignacio School District 11-JT, make sure your application is in by April 1st. Ignacio Youth Services offers a variety of programs designed to connect middle and high school students with their community and the outdoors. And we have your back for last-minute Super Bowl snacks. By Hannah. Watch...
Feb 08, 2024•3 min
Purgatory Mountain Resort is hosting an early Valentine's celebration as part of its Elevation Series . The City of Durango 's reporting tool, See Click Fix , received 660 requests in its first year, with top requests ranging from abandoned vehicles to snow removal, and the city's code enforcement team responds to requests within an hour. The Durango La Plata County Airport reported a record year in passenger traffic, with an 8.7 percent increase over the previous record set in 2021, indicating ...
Feb 07, 2024•4 min
