Durango Local News

Animas High School released a seven-episode podcast titled, “Beyond the Bell.” The Durango Arts Center ’s Annual Durango Autumn Arts Festival returns for its 31st year. And low-income residents may receive free, 12-month passes for Durango Transit. Watch to learn more! By Rachel Hughes.  Watch this story at www.durangolocal.news/newsstories/animas-high-school-releases-beyond-the-bell-podcast   Thi...

Sustainable economic development requires a workforce that can afford to set down roots, raise their families, and grow their businesses. That's the premise of the 18th annual Alliance Summit theme, “ Rooted in Community ,” the La Plata Economic Development Alliance 's annual conference on Sept. 11 at the Sky Ute Events Center in Ignacio. By Deborah Uroda.   Watch this story at www.duran...

Durango School District kindergarten reading proficiency jumped 39% in just one year thanks to the Orton-Gillingham literacy approach, with students of all ages showing impressive gains. By Sadie Smith.  Watch this story at www.durangolocal.news/newsstories/early-reading-scores-soar-in-durango-schools   This story is sponsored by Durango Gelato, Coffee & Tea and Tafoya Barrett & Associates...

The Women’s Resource Center will host its 2025 Chocolate and Wine Tasting at Animas Chocolate. The Washington Post published an opinion piece by Four Corners resident Maddy Butcher. The City of Durango seeks volunteers to count bicyclists and pedestrians. By Rachel Hughes.   Watch this story at www.durangolocal.news/newsstories/lose-your-soul-to-chocolate-for-womens-advocacy   This story is sponso...

As a fund-raising organization, United Way has a powerful reputation and international name recognition. So why would the United Way of Southwest Colorado sever ties with a philanthropic behemoth to become Team Up ? President and Chief Executive Officer Lynn Urban explains, and donors like the change. By Deborah Uroda.  Watch this story at www.durangolocal.news/newsstories/swco-united-way-expands-...

Wildfire smoke can cause significant health concerns especially if you have underlying health conditions. Here is what you need to know if you are in the path of wildfire smoke. By Sadie Smith.   Watch this story at www.durangolocal.news/newsstories/health-effects-of-wildfire-smoke-when-its-too-dangerous-outside-to-breathe   This story is sponsored by Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburger...

The Four Corners Motorcycle Rally is back this Labor Day weekend. The Sundog Gallery honors the late Stanton Englehart. And the Fort Lewis College director of athletics stepped down from his role in Durango to accept a new position. By Rachel Hughes.  Watch this story at www.durangolocal.news/newsstories/rev-up-your-labor-day-with-races-and-rodeos   This story is sponsored by Payroll Department an...

Wines of the San Juan hosted its 12th annual Wine and Shine Classic Car Show where crowds gathered for an afternoon of vintage cars and local wines. By Sadie Smith. Watch this story at www.durangolocal.news/newsstories/classic-cars-and-local-wine-take-center-stage-in-san-juan-valley This story is sponsored by Ace Hardware of Farmington and Three Rivers Brewery . Support the show

A local pastor’s vision to revive Southwest Colorado’s western heritage has launched plans for an arena in Bayfield. Pine Valley Church Senior Pastor Scott Kujath leads the effort to create a multi-purpose facility to serve the community, create space for youth programs, and pass on Southwest Colorado western heritage to the next generation. By Rachel Hughes.  Watch this story at www.durangolocal....

The Durango Education Foundation invites school-age children and their families to connect with local resources and youth programs. The Four Corners region’s first tattoo convention comes to Ignacio this August. Colorado enacted a new law outlining when drivers must stop for school buses and a new way it’s enforced. Watch for details! By Rachel Hughes.  Watch this story at www.durangolocal.news/ne...

U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet (D-Colorado) urged Southwest Colorado residents not to give up hope for democracy but to continue fighting for their rights as citizens living in a democratic republic. Bennet, a three-term senator, fielded audience questions about health care, tariffs, and democracy's perceived erosion during a town hall meeting on Aug. 5 at Fort Lewis College. Get involved. Register...

A new Colorado bill honors the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe and the Southern Ute Indian Tribe ’s connection to ancestral land. San Juan Brewfest returns Friday and Saturday, August 22nd and 23rd. Want to showcase your art at the library? Applications just opened! And an acorn shortage causes bears to seek food elsewhere. By Rachel Hughes.  Watch this story at www.durangolocal.news/newsstories/colorado-b...

At one point the fairgrounds master plan considered relocating the La Plata County Fairgrounds facility to Durango Mesa Parks. That turned out to be far too expensive. Find out what upgrades will be made to the Main Avenue fairgrounds facility as a part of the fairgrounds master plan. By Sadie Smith.   Watch this story at www.durangolocal.news/newsstories/county-chooses-renovation-over-new-fairgro...

Students get real world experience planning, designing and building water wells, bridges and solar energy systems to underdeveloped communities. By Connor Shreve.   Watch this story at www.durangolocal.news/newsstories/flc-students-complete-zambian-water-project   This story is sponsored by Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers and Fastsigns Durango .   Support the show

Learn how to prepare for fire evacuations. Fort Lewis College seeks swag to share the school’s history. And World Atlas named a Four Corners town one of the most overlooked destinations in Colorado. Watch for more! By Rachel Hughes.   Watch this story at www.durangolocal.news/newsstories/how-to-prepare-for-fire-evacuations-and-emergencies   This story is sponsored by Kroegers Ace Hardware and Fred...

New downtown Durango Fire facility houses engine, ladder truck, two ambulances, EMS Captain, with space to add additional crew. By Connor Shreve. Watch this story at www.durangolocal.news/newsstories/durango-fire-settles-into-new-station   This story is sponsored by Payroll Department and Tafoya, Barrett & Associates . Support the show

A new art gallery with a community-storytelling focus opened in downtown Durango. Three Springs may get a fire station—voters will decide this November. And the Durango School District officially changed its name. By Rachel Hughes. Watch this story at www.durangolocal.news/newsstories/community-centric-arts-hub-opens-on-main-ave   This story is sponsored by Tafoya Barrett & Associates and Crys...

To mark its Durango opening, Sunward Credit Union launched a small business scholarship. By Connor Shreve.  Watch this story at www.durangolocal.news/newsstories/credit-union-branches-into-durango   This story is sponsored by M&R Plumbing and Durango Gelato Coffee & Tea .  Support the show

The baton has dropped. The overture nears its end, but you still have time to catch the musical magic that is the 39th annual Music in the Mountains Festival through Aug. 3. By Deborah Uroda. Watch this story at www.durangolocal.news/newsstories/music-in-the-mountains-crescendos-toward-aug-3-finale This story is sponsored by Durango Motor Company and Dunkin Donuts . Support the show

Spanning nearly 500,000 acres across the San Juan and Rio Grande National Forests, the Weminuche Wilderness has an average elevation of 10,000 feet. By Connor Shreve.  Watch this story at www.durangolocal.news/newsstories/weminuche-wilderness-turns-50   This story is sponsored by Sky Ute Casino Resort and Happy Pappy's Pizza and Wings .  Support the show

Elizabeth Philbrick has been sworn in to fill the District 1 county commissioner seat. Join the Mountain Studies Institute for Forest Health Stewardship Day. And the La Plata County Fair returns at the beginning of August. By Sadie Smith. Watch this story at www.durangolocal.news/newsstories/elizabeth-philbrick-sworn-in-as-district-1-county-commissioner   This story is sponsored by Freddy's F...

KSUT in Ignacio is one of three Colorado public radio stations to join a federal lawsuit challenging President Trump's Executive Order to freeze public media funding. By Connor Shreve.   Watch this story at www.durangolocal.news/newsstories/public-radio-stations-face-uncertain-future   This story is sponsored by Dunkin’ Donuts and FLC Center for Innovation .   Support the show

Dry weather forces the City of Durango to cancel July 4th fireworks as a precautionary measure. Music in the Mountains brings a series of free concerts to Durango. And the Durango Fiesta Days Rodeo returns for its 90th anniversary. By Sadie Smith.   Watch this story at www.durangolocal.news/newsstories/extreme-dry-weather-cancels-july-4th-fireworks   This story is sponsored by Durango Gelato, Coff...

Rural areas like Durango face a healthcare crisis: retaining a workforce, in particular support staff. In April 2o24, Axis Healthcare received a $1.3 million Opportunity Now Grant. To tackle the issue they plan to “grow our own”with local health-care partners to retain a local workforce. By Sadie Smith.   Watch this story at www.durangolocal.news/newsstories/growing-our-own-1-3m-plan-to-train-loca...

School districts climate literacy program recognizes students who show initiative on environmental issues. By Connor Shreve.   Watch this story at www.durangolocal.news/newsstories/dhs-grads-lauded-for-climate-action   This story is sponsored by Happy Pappy’s Pizza & Wings and FLC Center for Innovation .  Support the show