Durango Local News

Time to get your Ticket to Ride for Snowdown: The Board Game Edition: It’s Your Move! The kick-off party Wednesday, Oct. 9 marks the start of the festivities for the 2025 event, including the unveiling of this year’s poster. Don’t pass Go! and collect your $200 until you’ve marked key dates in your calendar, or you’ll be Sorry you missed it!  For one day only, the Super Amazing Extraordinary Art S...

Fenceline Cider’s Community Pick Program returns after a successful 2023 harvest season, in which it gathered more than forty thousand pounds of apples from the local community. The initiative invites area residents with apple trees to donate their harvests to be used as part of the company's ciders. Fenceline says it helps reduce the amount of local fruit that might go unused after ripening....

Open enrollment for health insurance is quickly approaching. From November 1st to January 15th, individuals can secure 2025 coverage through Connect for Health Colorado or Colorado Connect. La Plata County’s Public Health Department offers an Insurance Literacy Program to guide residents toward the best coverage options. This year brings important updates, including expanded eligibility for DACA r...

Professional boxing is making its return to Durango with the Legends on the Animas event on Saturday, Oct. 18. Many of us recognize the mural of heavyweight boxer Jack Dempsey on the side of El Rancho Tavern, where he fought back in 1915. Durango’s wild western history is well-known, but this will be the first professional boxing event since Dempsey’s time. On October 12th at the La Plata County F...

The theater community is celebrating Nicholaus Sandner as Colorado’s top drama teacher. Sandner is a Durango local, a Fort Lewis College graduate and a drama teacher at Montezuma Cortez High School . Sandner was recently in Denver to accept his Colorado Theater Teacher of the Year award from the Colorado Thespians organization. Sandner says his students might be as happy as he is for the recogniti...

The Four Corners Office for Resource Efficiency invites you to come tour solar initiatives in the Durango area Saturday, Sept. 5! Learn about different sustainable energy initiatives throughout the tour, and wrap up the day with an evening soirée at the Smiley Building from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.  Keep your eyes out for the colorful balloons of the Animas Valley Balloon Rally Oct. 18-20. The annual eve...

Levi Kurlander is leaving his position as Executive Director of Durango Devo after serving for nearly eight years in the role. Under his leadership, Devo’s enrollment numbers have grown by nearly three times. Still, he considers his ability to back up a bike trailer the most important takeaway from his time at Durango Devo. Despite raising numerous Olympians and Pro Tour racers, Kurlander emphasiz...

Rivers Edge Wellness Center is set to bring rest, relaxation and recovery services to a familiar location when it opens next month. New owners J.D. and Ashley Sutton bought the property two days after Woodhouse Day Spa owners terminated their lease with the building. Sutton says he will work with customers who have unused gift cards for The Woodhouse. Rivers Edge will offer massage, manicure &...

Pueblo Seed & Food Company has started roasting its 2024 chile crop. Owner Dan Hobbs has found an excited chile clientele since moving his company from Pueblo to Cortez in 2021. He’s also found Pueblo chile varieties thrive in Southwest Colorado. Hobbs will roast fresh bushells for customers on Friday and Saturday afternoons through the end of September. By Connor Shreve. Watch this story at w...

Up, up, and away! The Durango-La Plata County Airport is one of eight regional and municipal airports in Colorado that received part of a $100 million grant from the Federal Aviation Administration . The funding will directly cover Phase 1B of the Terminal Expansion Project.  Durango School District 9-R received a grant from the Carton Council , part of ongoing efforts across the district to reduc...

Do you ever find yourself thinking “river thoughts” like Edward Abbey? A new mural along the River Trail encourages just that. Located just south of Santa Rita Park, local artist Mariah Kaminsky painted a tribute to the late author, incorporating the Desert Solitaire quote, “I chose to listen to the river for a while, thinking river thoughts, before joining the night and stars.” The mural serves a...

The 2024 Aztec Indigenous Arts Festival features local Indigenous artists, performers and culture on Saturday, September 14. This version of the festival features the largest variety of entertainment in its history. With headlining acts scheduled throughout the day, the 2024 Aztec Ruins Cultural Indigenous Arts Festival plans to move attendees in all manner of motif. Featured performers include re...

The Ignacio Community Library and Ignacio High School Science are co-hosting an International Observe the Moon Night event on September 14th at Shoshone Park, offering a variety of activities including rocket launching and moon observation. Southern Ute Shared Services announced that the broadband project, which aims to improve digital infrastructure in the area, is progressing with Phase Two, off...

Miller Middle School students and staff will transition to their new campus on September 24th, after starting the school year at Durango High School . The Durango Kennel Club is offering a rattlesnake avoidance clinic for dogs on September 14th, teaching them to avoid snakes through scent, sound, and sight training. Our Own Lives is hosting open houses this month to help local businesses create in...

School is officially back in session! On Tuesday, Aug. 27, the Durango Education Foundation held its annual Back to School Fair at the La Plata County Fairgrounds’ Exhibition Office . The event, sponsored by Central Bank , offered families a chance to explore resources for a successful school year, with interpretation services available for non-English speakers. The fair features school representa...

Fort Lewis College has partnered with the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus to establish a new nursing training facility on its campus. U.S. Sen. John Hickenlooper toured the facility on Aug. 29, highlighting the importance of local educational opportunities in retaining healthcare professionals in rural areas. $1.3 million in federal funding will support the CU Nursing Fort Lewis Col...

The 5th annual Men in Heels Fundraiser will take place on September 10th at the La Plata County Fairgrounds , supporting the Women’s Resource Center with a fun, competitive event. The Colorado Department of Transportation has begun safety improvements on Cascade Curve on U.S. Highway 550, involving the installation of a permanent concrete barrier to reduce accidents. Durango Parks and Recreation s...

Wildfires are an increasing threat, but with the right precautions, homeowners can significantly reduce their risk. Through the  Firewise  program, local communities are learning to create defensible spaces around their homes, which can be the difference between survival and disaster. By clearing flammable debris and following expert guidelines, residents can not only protect their properties but...

The second annual Bike Prom celebrates cycling subculture at The Powerhouse on September 14th. The event features a bike-parade, bike games, music and more. Participants are encouraged to find silly, funky costumes harkening back to high school prom. The event is billed as “the low budget prom you always loved and never knew you needed.” By Connor Shreve. Watch this story at www.durangolocal.news/...

The Colorado Secretary of State is hosting a contest for a new “I Voted” sticker for this year’s elections, open to all enrolled high school and homeschooled students between ages 13-18. The La Plata Economic Development Alliance has announced the awards for the third round of the Catalyst Housing Funds , with two awardees from Durango and one from Bayfield. The Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles...

Christopher Blevins, Riley Amos and Savilia Blunk returned to Durango following their Olympic mountain bike races. Durango’s Team USA members enjoyed a competitive respite following the Paris Games. Amos and Blevins joined group rides hosted by Durango Devo , a development program they participated in as kids. A formal celebration of all three Durango Olympians is likely to be held later in the ye...

Durango School District 9-R has released a new plan to keep traffic congestion at Durango High School down during pick-up and drop-off. Durango High School and Miller Middle School students will have a staggered start, and separate zones for families to drop off. San Juan Mountain Association is offering an after-school program on Thursdays in September, October, and November. The Durango Educatio...

The Northwest New Mexico Arts Council is one of 100 nonprofits nationwide to earn a grant from Lowe’s Hometowns to invest in the community. The money is being used to develop the outdoor space at the newly opened historic Leanor Hotel . The space will be used to teach underserved teens service industry skills. The Leanor Hotel aims to be a safe gathering space for teens across the county. By Conno...

The Durango Public Library has revised its materials review policy in response to new state guidelines that allow residents to challenge library materials. The policy mandates that challengers' names remain public and limits challenges to once every two years. This change comes amid a nationwide increase in challenges to library materials, with Colorado seeing 142 attempts to restrict access...

Durango School District 9-R heads back August 20th - make sure that your student(s) are ready with the “ Back to School Hub ,” with registration, bus, and after-school program information. August is chock-full of events for the La Plata County Humane Society , from the Woofs and Whiskers photo contest to the Buds and Brews fundraising event. And the City of Durango ’s Turf Grass Replacement Progra...