Durango Local News

La Plata County invites you to the annual “Driving” Tour and Colorado Governor Jarid Polis launched a public dashboard that displays federal funding reductions across Colorado counties. By Sadie Smith. Watch this story at www.durangolocal.news/newsstories/return-of-the-annual-driving-tour This story is sponsored by M&R Plumbing and Serious Texas Bar-B-Q . Support the show

Heartwood Cohousing celebrated its 25th anniversary with a groundbreaking ceremony to begin phase two, a project that will expand the cohousing community with 14 new homes. By Sadie Smith.   Watch this story at www.durangolocal.news/newsstories/heartwood-cohousing-breaks-ground-on-major-expansion-after-25-years   This story is sponsored by Kroegers Ace Hardware and Payroll Department .  Support th...

Project aims to improve downtown infrastructure, road surface, experience. By Connor Shreve.   Watch this story at www.durangolocal.news/newsstories/construction-continues-on-pagosa-springs-main-street   This story is sponsored by Fredie’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers and Dunkin’ Donuts . Support the show

Expect delays and intermittent closures on the Junction Creek Durango Trailhead this summer as it undergoes construction, the Four Corners Gem and Mineral Show is just around the corner, and Durango-based band Desiderata is set to perform at Animas City Theater . By Sadie Smith.   Watch this story at www.durangolocal.news/newsstories/junction-creek-trail-access-limited-this-summer-due-to-construct...

The Durango Creative District wants volunteers for a special mission - mapping every mural, sculpture, and installation across the city. The Public Art Recon Mission will update the city's art inventory for the first time since 2015. By Sadie Smith.  Watch this story at www.durangolocal.news/newsstories/volunteers-needed-to-document-durangos-growing-public-art-scene   This story is sponsored...

The warm weather signals more than the start of summer; it also introduces the Farmers Market season. Support local farmers and small businesses and keep your dollars in the local economy. By Sadie Smith.   Watch this story at www.durangolocal.news/newsstories/farmers-market-sprouts-for-summer-season-in-durango   This story is sponsored by FASTSIGNS Durango and Sky Ute Casino .  Support the show

The City of Durango invites community to comment on the Downtown’s Next Step project, Southwest Safehouse celebrates its 40th anniversary with an event at Four Leaves Winery , and the Southern Ute Behavioral Health calls youth artists to submit artwork to be featured on a mural in Ignacio. By Sadie Smith.  Watch this story at www.durangolocal.news/newsstories/durango-invites-community-comment-on-d...

Former state representative Barbara McLachlan and retired Physician Mary Gerodetti hope to effect positive change on a hyper-local level. By Connor Shreve. Watch this story at www.durangolocal.news/newsstories/durango-residents-lead-new-charity-effort This story is sponsored by Kroegers Ace Hardware and M&R Plumbing . Support the show

Durango Transit offers free public transportation all summer,, celebrate Durango’s western heritage with the True Western Roundup rodeos every Wednesday,, and don't miss Gardens on Tour at the end of the month. By Sadie Smith.   Watch this story at www.durangolocal.news/newsstories/durango-transit-offers-free-rides-all-summer   This story is sponsored by San Juan Regional Medical Center and T...

Current phase of expansion adds new gates, security checkpoint and baggage area by the end of 2026. By Connor Shreve.   Watch this story at www.durangolocal.news/newsstories/durango-la-plata-county-airport-expansion-on-schedule   This story is sponsored by Payroll Department and Serious Texas Bar-B-Q .  Support the show

After a scary and lonely battle with cancer, Val Russel, owner of the Flying Hatter , wants to use her experience to help others undergoing cancer treatment. Hats for the C Word gives cancer patients the opportunity to design a free custom hat. By Sadie Smith.   Watch this story at www.durangolocal.news/newsstories/hats-for-the-c-word   This story is sponsored by Durango Gelato, Coffee & Tea a...

The Fort Lewis College Board of Trustees unanimously appointed Dr. Heather J. Shotton as the college’s next president at its meeting on April 11. Shotton formerly served as the college’s Vice President of Diversity Affairs and the Acting Dean of Student Engagement. She will be FLC’s first-ever indigenous president. By Ryan Simonovich.  Watch this story at www.durangolocal.news/newsstories/flc-appo...

Police were called to capture Irwin, a pet kangaroo, after he made his second escape this year. Concerts in the Park starts back up in June. And the City of Durango asks residents to be mindful with water consumption after a dry winter. By Sadie Smith. Watch this story at www.durangolocal.news/newsstories/irwin-the-pet-kangaroo-listed-as-repeat-offender This story is sponsored by FLC Center for In...

On May 15, Park Elementary students showcased projects celebrating Better World Week. As part of the EL Education (Expeditionary Learning) curriculum, a nonprofit that partners with K–12 public and charter schools to boost student achievement through a holistic approach, they engaged in service-based learning projects demonstrating how they contributed to making the world a better place. By Sadie...

The TABOR and Gallagher amendments to the Colorado Constitution , along with several recent legislative tweaks to property tax law, have plummeted property tax revenues in La Plata County . Outgoing County Manager Chuck Stevens warns that county residents may have some tough choices ahead about the quality and quantity of services they want. By Deborah Uroda & Sadie Smith.  Watch this story at...

In a small rural town like Ignacio, opportunities for creative expression are limited. Dancing Spirit Center for the Arts wants to fill that gap. By Sadie Smith.   Watch this story at www.durangolocal.news/newsstories/dancing-spirit-builds-community-through-creativity   This story is sponsored by Crystal Mart and Durango Gelato, Coffee & Tea .  Support the show

Cyclists are gearing up for the return of the Iron horse Bicycle Classic , and LPEA receives a $2 million grant to launch a new battery storage project. By Sadie Smith. Watch this story at www.durangolocal.news/newsstories/iron-horse-bicycle-classic-returns This story is sponsored by Sky Ute Casino and Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers . Support the show

Cody and Ryan Dudgeon are the owners and operators of Desert River Guides , the only rafting company in Farmington. Flows on the Animas River may not be record-breaking this year, but Dudgeon is still optimistic about good times on the water. By Ryan Simonovich. Watch this story at www.durangolocal.news/newsstories/desert-river-guides-optimistic-about-rafting-season   This story is sponsored by Su...

The historic tradition of the Southern Ute Bear Dance in Ignacio returns at the end of May. The Colorado Department of Transportation started construction projects on U.S. Highway 550, and the Community Foundation Serving Southwest Colorado will host two workshops for nonprofit leaders. By Sadie Smith.   Watch this story at www.durangolocal.news/newsstories/southern-ute-bear-dance-returns-end-of-m...

A survey conducted in February 2025 confirmed a growing need for workforce housing among educators in the School District 9-R. The District has taken the first steps toward securing workforce housing. By Sadie Smith. Watch this story at www.durangolocal.news/newsstories/durango-school-district-9-r-addresses-educator-housing-crisis This story is sponsored by Dunkin Donuts and Serious Texas Bar-B-Q...

Student athletes at Fort Lewis College can now level-up their game with the debut of a new 12,000 square-foot Sports Performance Center . The project took two years and cost $6 million, with CommonSpirit Health as the major donor. By Ryan Simonovich. Watch this story at www.durangolocal.news/newsstories/flc-unveils-6-million-commonspirit-sports-performance-center This story is sponsored by Tafoya...

The 30th annual C ommon Spirit Durango Shootout Soccer Tournament will return to Durango May 9th through May 11th. La Plata county Commissioner Martha Porter-Norton will deliver a keynote address to discuss the mental health crisis. And Manna’s Soup Kitchen will hold their 3rd annual plant sale on Mother’s Day weekend. By Sadie Smith.  Watch this story at www.durangolocal.news/newsstories/durango-...

The La Plata County Office of Emergency Management conducted its fifth annual wildfire preparedness exercise. Find out how emergency personnel have honed their skills ahead of wildfire season. By Sadie Smith. Watch this story at www.durangolocal.news/newsstories/la-plata-county-prepares-for-wildfire-season This story is sponsored by Sky Ute Casino and FLC Center for Innovation . Support the show

The following promotional message is a special announcement from the Local NEWS Network about an exciting new partnership with Skidattl .  The Local NEWS Network will put the icing on the Durango Shootout Soccer Tournament's 30th anniversary cake with a new augmented reality app that will help participants find soccer-field locations, restaurants, medical services and more. By Deborah Uroda. ...

The Durango Wine Experience took place over the last weekend of April. Hosted by the Community Foundation serving Southwest Colorado , the event raised funds to support 10 local nonprofits. By Sadie Smith.   Watch this story at www.durangolocal.news/newsstories/durango-wine-experience-pairs-sips-with-support   This story is sponsored by M&R Plumbing and Payroll Department .   Support the show