PAST DURANGO LOCAL NEWS STORIES

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. This story is sponsored by Kroegers Ace Hardware and San Juan Regional Medical Center.

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 Smith. This story is sponsored by Dunkin Donuts and M&R Plumbing.

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. This story is sponsored by FASTSIGNS and Kroegers Ace Hardware.

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. This story is sponsored by Crystal Mart and Durango Gelato, Coffee & Tea.

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. This story is sponsored by Sky Ute Casino and Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers.

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. This story is sponsored by Sunray Park & Casino and M&R Plumbing.

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. This story is sponsored by FLC Center for Innovation.

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. 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. This story is sponsored by Tafoya Barrett & Associates and Crystal Mart.

The 30th annual Common 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. This story is sponsored by San Juan Regional Medical Center and Tafoya Barrett & Associates.

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. This story is sponsored by Sky Ute Casino and FLC Center for Innovation.

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. This story is sponsored by M&R Plumbing and Payroll Department.

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.

Zia Taqueria has exciting plans to celebrate its 20th anniversary. Purchase tickets today for the iAM Music Festival. The Durango Chamber of Commerce seeks comment on a potential wage increase, and just in time for Mother's Day, Pagosa Springs has been ranked third among the best 'Mom-cation' destinations in the United States. By Sadie Smith. This story is sponsored by Durango Gelato, Coffee & Tea and Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers.

The Four Corners largest annual bike swap features used apparel, bikes, components and gear. The cycling sale serves as the most important fundraiser of the season for Durango Devo. By Connor Shreve. This story is sponsored by FastSigns Durango and FLC Center for Innovation.

Spring is here and the bears are out. Find out what Colorado Parks and Wildlife advises residents should do to be bear aware this season. By Sadie Smith. This story is sponsored by Serious Texas Bar-B-Q and FLC Center for Innovation.

Learn how the Regional Housing Alliance plans to strategize and relieve the affordable housing challenge in La Plata County at the 2nd annual Southwest Housing Summit. By Sadie Smith. This story is sponsored by FLC Center for Innovation and Durango Gelato, Coffee & Tea.

Durango School District 9-R will use $60 million from November bond passage to fund the design, construction of a replacement elementary school in Three Springs. By Connor Shreve. This story is sponsored by Dunkin’ Donuts and FastSigns Durango.

The CodeRED alert test, originally set for April 20, has been updated to April 21 in consideration of Easter Sunday. World-renowned illusionist Leon Etienne will be performing at the Community Concert Hall. And Fort Lewis Senior, Lacey Miller will debut her exhibit Herpetofauna Of The Center: A Collection Of Scales at the Center of Southwest Studies. By Sadie Smith. This story is sponsored by Crystal Mart and Happy Pappy's Pizza & Wings.

According to Indivisible Durango, more than a 1000 people showed up to protest the Trump administration at the Hands-Off protest Saturday April 5. By Sadie Smith. This story is sponsored by Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers and Dunkin Donuts.