The Southern Ute Indian Tribe is seeking public feedback on its Water Quality Standards revisions. The 50-day public comment period opened Nov. 12 and will close Jan. 2, with a public hearing scheduled for Jan. 16 at 10:00 a.m. Last month, the Southern Ute Cultural Center and Museum was awarded the 2024 Community Impact Award from the Association of Tribal Libraries, Archives, and Museums for its Reflections of Honor Exhibit. The exhibit is a year-round space for Tribal veterans to share their stories through interviews, photos, military objects, digitized military documents, and more. Applications for the MOLAS Scholarship - Meaningful Opportunity through Learning and Achievement - are open. The Community Foundation serving Southwest Colorado administers the scholarship and is open to all first-generation college students. There are observations all day long for the Winter Solstice on Saturday, Dec. 21. Chaco Canyon will host a sunrise observation, Farmington Public Library will host a noon observation, and Aztec Ruins National Monument will celebrate a sunset observation. Each will feature a celestial alignment with the shortest day of the year. Ignacio Community Library has new hours for 2025. Starting Jan. 1, the library will be open 8:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 9:00 a.m. t0 5:00 p.m. Friday and Saturday - the library will remain closed on Sundays. By Hannah Robertson. This story is sponsored by Payroll Department and Tafoya Barrett & Associates.

The Community Foundation serving Southwest Colorado announced record-breaking donations for this year’s Colorado Gives Day, with a 26% increase in donations to nonprofit organizations in Archuleta, Dolores, La Plata, Montezuma, and San Juan counties. The annual giving day reported over $50 million in donations state-wide. The City of Durango is seeking interested individuals to join a stormwater focus group to pursue funding options for the current stormwater program. Applications to join the group are due Jan. 8, with meetings to begin in January. Applications for the MOLAS Scholarship - Meaningful Opportunity through Learning and Achievement - are open. The Community Foundation serving Southwest Colorado administers the scholarship and is open to all first-generation college students. By Hannah Robertson. This story is sponsored by Dunkin Donuts and Kroegers Ace Hardware.

San Juan Mountains Association is holding its Christmas Trees for Conservation fundraiser. Come pick up your Christmas tree and support stewardship and conservation education on Southwest Colorado’s public land. By Sadie Smith. This story is sponsored by FLC Center for Innovation and Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers.

Matt Martensen is trying to change the paradigm of internet monetization. His tech startup, User Cooperative, is a user-owned internet browser structured as a member-governed cooperative. He says trillions of dollars and our well-being are on the line. By Connor Shreve. This story is sponsored by Payroll Department and Sky Ute Casino.

Durango School District 9-R announced the purchase of a permanent home for Big Picture High School at the end of November. The new home, Unit 4 in the Coumbine Center, will provide the school with 12,698 square feet of space, which will be renovated before the school moves in Fall 2026. County Road 251, also known as 32nd Street, has re-opened for the winter after construction work began on the road redesign. The first half of the project included dedicated bike lanes, a shared-use path, landscaping, and drainage work from Holly Avenue to East Animas Drive. Next summer work will continue on the redesign from East Animas Village Drive to Metz Lane. The American Red Cross warns of increased fire risk during the holiday season, so keep homes safe from fire with a few safety precautions. Especially with people visiting and more indoor activities, it’s always a good idea to review your safety precautions, especially with holiday decorations. By Hannah Robertson. This story is sponsored by Happy Pappy's Pizza & Wings and San Juan Regional Medical Center.