The Community Concert Hall opened the summer concert season with their first in-person concert since March 2020 on June 10. Concerts in the park and a full fall line-up are set to follow. By Hannah Robertson. Sponsored by FASTSIGNS and The Timbers at Edgemont Highlands
The La Plata Historical Society found the silver lining in the dark cloud of the pandemic: patrons are hungry for stories about Durango's history. So when Animas museum reopens on July 6, expect even more educational programming about the region's past. Sponsored by Alpine Bank
A lengthy renovation program to install new seating, as well as enhanced irrigation systems and better facilities for players, will be ready to go just in time for the 2021 Connie Mack World Series, which will return to Ricketts Park after being canceled in 2020. The World Series will open in Farmington on July 23. Sponsored by Serious Texas BBQ and Express Employment Professionals
Jack Llewellyn and Kim Oyler of the Durango Chamber of Commerce join Allee the goldendoodle to bring you information on this summer's Top Dog & Coolest Cat contest, a fun filled event benefiting Parker's Animal Rescue.
Alpenglow Properties owner Dan Korman discusses some of the economic factors that are affecting the housing market, including employment, construction costs, and workforce housing.
The Mancos Burrofest features local burros and highlights local artists in a family-friendly afternoon activity. Sponsored by TruWest Auto and Express Employment Professionals
Have you noticed the colorful murals, lego sculptures, and window art popping up around town as you've emerged from a year of pandemic hibernation? Those are the works of the Durango Arts Brigade. Sponsored by Happy Pappy’s Pizza and Wings and San Juan Basin Public Health
The transportation sector contributes more greenhouse gas emissions than any other sector in the world, and a Colorado company, Lightning eMotors, wants to help reduce those emissions by manufacturing electric commercial vehicles like delivery vans and passenger shuttles. Local fleet managers recently had an opportunity to learn more about them. Sponsored by Happy Pappy's and San Juan Basin Public Health
What started out as a project to source the fabrics that LeeAnn Vallejos wanted for her quilting addiction has turned into a nationally recognized fabric and quilting shop, Stitch – right here on Main Avenue in Durango. Sponsored by Tile & Light Art of Durango and San Juan Basin Public Health
Business plans battled for supremacy in the 2021 Hawk Tank competition, sponsored by Fort Lewis College, and now San Juan College in Farmington. By Donna K. Hewett. Sponsored by Distill Beer, Wine, Spirits and Three Rivers Brewery
When a Cortez-area store discontinued its line of high-quality yarns, the area's knitters, weavers, crochet enthusiasts, and fiber producers formed a collective and opened a store to provide a source for their fiber crafts and a market for fiber producers. Sponsored by The Timbers at Edgemont Highlands, the Cortez Airport, and Boutique Air
This year’s Memorial weekend saw the return of the Iron Horse Bicycle Classic. Although this trimmed down event wasn’t the usual full-on summer kickoff of past years, it proved a sign that Durango can start breathing a little easier during the post-pandemic summer. Thank you to the Iron Horse Bicycle Classic for providing footage and photos. Sponsored by Kroeger’s Ace Hardware and San Juan Basin Public Health
It's no secret that housing prices in Southwest Colorado are soaring, and a limited, local skilled labor pool is part of the problem. That's why the Homebuilders Association of Southwest Colorado intends to donate part of the proceeds from its June 26 Contractors Yard Sale to support Durango and Bayfield high school training programs. Sponsored by Homebuilders Association of Southwest Colorado
The new CDC guidelines caught most states and public health organizations by surprise. What do the guidelines mean for local businesses, tourists and everyday activities? By Hannah Robertson. Sponsored by Tile and Light Art and Serious Texas BBQ
The Galloping Goose Historical Society will operate its Dolores museum this summer after a year's closure caused by the pandemic, but whether the Goose will fly down the tracks this season remains to be seen. Sponsored by Big-O Tires and Keesee Motors
If you want to help your neighbors and community, Durango Fire Protection District Captain Jessica Borden wants you on her volunteer first-responder team. Sponsored by Bank of the San Juans
The Demon Girls Volleyball Team won its first league title in 10 years, and they attribute their success to a lot of play and practice despite pandemic restrictions. Sponsored by Cryomedspa, Durango Dental, Four Corners Eye Clinic, First Southwest Bank, Durango Hot Springs
In this edition of #LPEAwire, we explain how you can save money on your LPEA bill by switching to the Time-of-Use rate. We also celebrate the seven local high school seniors awarded LPEA scholarships this year. Sponsored by La Plata Electric Association
What do you get when you cross a burro race with an arts festival? No, this isn't a bad joke. You get a BurroFest – a celebration of the hard-working pack animals and the art they inspire. Sponsored by TruWest and Big-O Tires
Farming ain't what it used to be, and that's a good thing, says the coordinator for a new agriculture program at Pueblo Community College. That's because climate change, the need to build local food supplies, and food insecurity are changing the way that people view food production. Sponsored by Cortez Airport and Boutique Air
A number of sleep studies indicate that getting adequate sleep can facilitate weight loss. PHD Weight Loss and Nutrition founder Ashley Lucas explains why. Sponsored by PHD Weight Loss.
In this debut of a new feature, Building SWCO, Home Builders Association of Southwest Colorado Executive Officer Rebekah Delamare discusses the lumber industry's recovery. Sponsored by Home Builders Association of Southwest Colorado.
Commercial property and business owners will receive a break in their property taxes during the next two years as a result of the latest the biennial reappraisal of properties in La Plata County. Sponsored by The Payroll Department and Kroegers Ace Hardware.
Animas River Days are back, and this time for a whole weekend! Come enjoy the U.S. Kayak Freestyle Championships alongside the traditional Animas River Days activities. By Hannah Robertson. Sponsored by Tafoya Barrett and Associates and Serious Texas BBQ.
Like most nonprofits across the nation, the Durango Arts Center struggled to keep programs alive during the pandemic. But as the community begins to reopen and recover, the arts center will rise out of the ashes with plans to become bigger, stronger and more vibrant than ever. Sponsored by Alpine Bank
A new Four Corners area resident has established a network of support and education to help those with Alzheimer's disease and their families. Sponsored by The Timbers at Edgemont Highlands and FASTSIGNS
Kim Oyler of the Durango Chamber of Commerce recaps this year's Durango Rocks award recipients and announces community programs on the horizon. Sponsored by Durango Chamber of Commerce
Durango-based non-profit, The Hive, has a new space on Main Avenue where it will host youth to engage them in art, music and skateboarding activities. Filmed and edited by Tucker Cocchiarella. Sponsored by Durango Party Rental and San Juan Basin Public Health.
Tom Little, Farmers Market Manager, tells us about a new Durango’s Farmers Market season. There will be some new vendors selling mushrooms, live music, food and fun! Guests are asked to wear a mask and enjoy themselves. Sponsored by 2180 Lighting & Design Studio and Whole Health Family Medicine Clinic
Grub Hub, a students run non-profit on Fort Lewis campus, provides food to students in need. Through 16 different community sponsors, the problem of food scarcity is being addressed on Fort Lewis’ campus. Filmed and Edited by Tucker Cocchiarella. Sponsored by FASTSIGNS and Durango Party Rental.
Katrina Blair, founder of Turtle Lake Refuge and organics parks advocate, tells us about the importance of using organic fertilizers in our public parks. She tells us about the Dandelion Festival, celebrating May 1st at Rotary Park. Filmed and Edited by Tucker Cocchiarella. Sponsored by FASTSIGNS and The Timbers at Edgemont Highlands.
Dan Korman, founder of Alpenglow Properties, discusses the pros and cons of buying a house as a rental property, vacation rental, or corporate rental. Sponsored by Alpenglow Properties.
Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad Roundhouse Foreman Chris Brophy tells us how workers are converting their coal-burning steam engines to burn oil to re-duce fire danger along the track to Silverton. Filmed and Edited by Tucker Cocchiarella. Sponsored by Durango Party Rental and 2180 Lighting & Design
The home-health-care industry is expected to grow exponentially during the next five to 10 years, so if you're looking for a job or career change, local home-health-care professionals say a rewarding position in the field is available right now. Sponsored by Whole Health Family Medicine and Tafoya Barrett and Associates.
The City of Durango, in partnership with residents and seven local, state, and federal agencies, will thin forests adjacent to high-density developments this summer to reduce fire danger. Sponsored by The Payroll Department and Kroegers Ace Hardware.
With unemployment claims making the news almost as often as surges in the coronavirus, what are local employment agencies doing to help job seekers find jobs? By Hannah Robertson. Sponsored by Serious Texas BBQ and The Payroll Department.
Dr. Ashley Lucas, founder of PHD Weight Loss, offers lunch menu ideas to keep your new healthy eating habits on track and to avoid that afternoon slump. Sponsored by PHD Weight Loss.
What does the change from the COVID State Dial to the local guidelines called “Level Blue” mean for San Juan Basin residents? By Hannah Robertson. Sponsored by FASTSIGNS and Carver Brewing Company.
Jeremiah St. Ours talks about the importance of the winter closure on Smelter, Paragliding Safety, and the joy of free-flight for the community. Sponsored by 2180 Lighting & Design Studio and Carver Brewing Company. Filmed and Edited by Tucker Cocchiarella.
On average, one person dies every day in the United States from electricity-related injuries. May is National Electric Safety Month, and to help you stay safe around electricity, here are 5 electric safety tips from LPEA’s VP of Operations Jerry Sutherlin.
Hundreds of baby animals will soon be raining on the La Plata County Humane Society with the annual springtime deluge of just-born puppies and kittens. They'll need food, health care, toys, and warm blankets, so the humane society is throwing a baby shower May 1-8. Sponsored by Durango Party Rental and Carver Brewing Company.
Get ready for lower fares, airline passengers. Two more airlines will arrive and depart from the Durango La Plata County Airport this summer. And one carrier will offer a “teaser” fare to Denver at only $19 one-way. Sponsored by Kroeger's Ace Hardware and The Timbers at Edgemont Highlands.
Derailed Pour House owner Lisa Gibson says the ability to add seats outdoors in city-approved bump-outs has allowed her restaurant to survive the pandemic, and she hopes they're here to stay. Sponsored by Durango Party Rental and Whole Health Family Medicine.
Stillhouse Junkies returns to the very distillery where it all began for this band. Guitarist and Mandolinist Fred Kosak, Fiddler Alissa Wolf, and Bassist Cody Tinnin, perform original songs rich with the sounds of blues, roots, bluegrass and a vibe distinctive of Southwest Colorado. Featured Songs: “Johnny Mac” “Burn It Down” Special thank you to Durango Craft Spirits Audio Engineer: Jeff Jones Videography: Zachary Marqua, Cooper Stowers, Gabe Powel
Tennis season starts at the end of April for the Durango High School girls tennis team. Yes, they're looking forward to playing well, but they're in it for the love of the sport. Sponsored by Durango Dental, Cryomedspa, Four Corners Eye Clinic, Durango Hot Springs, and First Southwest Bank.
With shiny re-built motors and new paint jobs, classic cars are certainly works of art – and works of the heart. Sponsored by Kessee Motors and Choice Building Supply.
If it seems like your favorite hiking or biking trail has become more crowded lately, it has. Users on Durango-area trails has increased significantly, and so have conflicts. That's why Durango Trails, in partnership with Alpine Bank and Ska Brewing, will launch a new trail-etiquette education campaign on Earth Day. Sponsored by Alpine Bank
All aboard! The Durango & Silverton Train will resume round-trip excursions to Silverton this summer. Sponsored Carver's Brewing and The Timbers at Edgemont Highlands
Wildfire season is upon us. Are you prepared to leave your home in a moment's notice? Firefighters with the Upper Pine River Fire Protection District and residents in the Los Ranchitos subdivision recently practiced an evacuation drill. Find out how it went. Sponsored by Kroegers Ace Hardware and FASTSIGNS.
Colorado waterways are free of the prolific – and damaging – quagga and zebra mussels, and Colorado Parks and Wildlife wants to keep it that way with continued boat inspections and the boating public's cooperation. Sponsored by The Payroll Department and Big-O Tires.
A red-tailed hawk soared to freedom in late March after it had been hit by a car in February. The Durango Police officer who rescued him had the honor of releasing the bird after six weeks of rehabilitation. Sponsored by Tafoya Barrett & Associates and Serious Texas BBQ
People with intellectual or developmental disabilities can feel isolated and lonely under normal circumstances, let alone by the isolation imposed by the pandemic. But some are thriving, thanks to the virtual day programs Community Connections created to keep their clients connected. Sponsored by Big-O Tires and FASTSIGNS
Dan Korman of Alpenglow Properties talks about the impact of low housing supply on the jump on housing prices and offers some.
The Durango Chamber of Commerce played an active role to support local businesses as they struggled through closures during the pandemic. Chamber Executive Director Jack Llewellyn explains all the changes the organization made during the past year in this first edition of Chamber Chat, brought to you by Durango Local News.
Paul and Jackie Beasley purchased Tile Art & Light Art about 10 years ago with a fledgling workshop where the former owners had just started manufacturing quartz, quartzite and marble slabs into custom countertops. Now, it's a mainstay of their business, and they recently moved to an expanded shop in Three Springs. Sponsored by The Payroll Department and Kroegers Ace Hardware
Southwest Colorado non-profit, 4 The Children, provides support and advocacy for neglected and abused children. They say abuse reports are on the rise, and are launching a fund-raising and volunteer-recruitment campaign during Child Abuse Awareness Month is April. Sponsored by Whole Health Family Medicine Clinic and the Timbers at Edgemont Highlands. Sponsored by Whole Health Family Medicine Clinic and the Timbers at Edgemont Highlands.
As a Durango Fire Protection District captain, Jim Anderson is in charge of coordinating training sessions for his crews, and he says the new training facility next to the fire station in Bodo will be a game-changer for the men and women who respond to medical and fire emergencies in our community. Sponsored by Bank of the San Juans
Durango psychologist Stacy Reuille-Dupont knows that mind and emotions affect physical health, and physical health contributes to emotional well-being. But getting clients to incorporate both was a challenge. That's why she opened Studio B. Sponsored by 2180 Lighting and Design Studio and Serious Texas BBQ
Sometimes you can find the silver lining behind the dark cloud of the pandemic. The Demon Debate Team certainly did. When COVID travel restrictions forced all the tournaments onto Zoom, the Demons could participate without travel expenses, and five of the 11 team members qualified for the national tournament in June.
The old saying goes that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Well, that's not necessarily true, but if breakfast is a necessary start to your day, PHD Weight Loss Founder Ashley Lucas advises you to avoid cereal and cold milk, bagels, and other high carb foods to keep your energy going.
In this edition of #LPEAwire, LPEA CEO Jessica Matlock answers some of your questions on LPEA's power supply, power reliability, and power costs, in the wake of the rolling blackouts in Texas.
The Community Foundation Serving Southwest Colorado experienced unprecedented support from donors in 2020 in response to the needs that arose during the pandemic.
“Serial entrepreneur” Mark “Pappy” Anderson loves his latest venture: A family-friendly pizza joint that happens to serve up a mean batch of chicken wings and healthy salads, too.
A proposal to raise the lodger’s tax from 2% to 5.25% will increase funding the creative district and encourage “shoulder-season” tourism. Written by Hannah Robertson
When wrestlers hit the mat for a match, it's one against one. But two Demon wrestlers say they never would have made it to the state championship finals had it not been for the efforts of their teammates and coaches.
They did it. KSUT Public Radio and its supporters raised $1.5 million to match a $1 million challenge grant from the Southern Ute Indian Tribe to build a modern media center that will allow the station to expand local news and public affairs programming about and for the Four Corners.
Durango Police urge residents to lock their cars in the wake of a dramatic increase in car thefts and car burglaries.
Kelly Gregory waited more than 20 years to realize her dream of owning a food-service business or a restaurant. The pandemic gave her the opportunity to just that when she began operating out of the Dolores River Brewery kitchen two nights a week. By LNN News Director Deborah Uroda; Editor Zach Marqua
Liane Jollon, executive director of San Juan Basin Public Health, received national recognition from the American Medical Association for her work to mitigate the pandemic in Southwest Colorado and her advocacy for public health agencies across the state. Footage courtesy of American Medical Association, San Juan Basin Public Health & The Durango Herald
Given the changes across the country in how college's operate, how is COVID affecting the way students apply to colleges, and how are colleges working to help them? Written by Hannah Robertson
Durango School District 9-R is one of only eight school districts in Colorado to be awarded a Regional Air Quality Council grant to purchase an electric school bus. Find out how it will benefit the district's sustainability goals and financial bottom line. Written by Deborah Uroda and Edited by Zach Marqua
Durango Police Officer Jonathan Mizner grew up in Florida and worked as a Manatee County sheriff's deputy before hiring on in Durango, and he relishes the differences between the two environments.
If Cortez could have a cultural motto, town leaders may want to consider City of Murals. Find out how artists transformed walls, even houses, into works of art.
With today's housing shortages in Southwest Colorado, many homeowners are turning to building their houses-to-be. But COVID-induced shortages are affecting building supplies -- and the cost of building your own home.
