This past September, Pueblo Community College Southwest moved back into the Commons Building in Durango from its Durango High School location. The move will provide more opportunities for community involvement between the school and Durango, as well as provide opportunities to expand existing programs and add new programs. At a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the move, PCC staff and administrators expressed excitement about the move and the opportunities now available to the school and its students. By Hannah Robertson. This story is sponsored by Happy Pappy’s Pizza & Wings and Tafoya Barrett & Associates

Dancing with the Durango Stars is an annual fundraiser for the Durango Derailers’ Patient Assistance Fund. This couple’s dance competition is choreographed by Leslie Carlson and is one of Durango Derailers biggest fundraising events and a whole lot of fun! In the fund's 17-year history, they have fund-raised over $1 MILLION in aggregate support. This fund is available to children and families living in SW Colorado to help with travel expenses when they need to go to a pediatric hospital or pediatric specialist for a higher level of pediatric specialty care (outpatient or inpatient). The fund provides gas cards and hotel assistance. By Kristi Dean and Andy Wingerd. This story is sponsored by Sky Ute Casino and Kroeger’s Ace Hardware

A golf tournament that started as a way to introduce women golfers to the golf courses in Durango is now a powerful fundraising event. Founders Dolly Turner and Doris Douglass started the Columbine Classic Charity Golf Tournament in 1995 at Dalton Ranch Golf Club, and in 2004 became a charity event for local nonprofit organizations in Durango. This year, members presented a $25,000 check to the Fort Lewis College Women’s Varsity Golf Team for the Nick Turner Scholarship Fund - a fund that aids the young women with their academic and athletic futures. Dalton Ranch and the Glacier Club play host to the annual two-day tournament, supporting the next generation of golfers. By Hannah Robertson and Connor Shreve. This story is sponsored by Happy Pappy’s Pizza & Wings and Tafoya Barrett & Associates

The 2023 annular solar eclipse will pass directly over Colorado, one of nine states that will be able to see the “Ring of Fire” astronomical event in its entirety. Find some of the best viewing towards Mesa Verde National Park, or join the fun in Durango at the Chili Chase at Backcountry Experience. And come join Bode Miller and filmmaker Brett Rapkin at the Community Foundation Serving Southwest Colorado’s Making a Difference Speaker Series. By Hannah Robertson. This story is sponsored by The Payroll Department and Serious Texas BBQ

Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) of Southwest Colorado was recently voted Small Agency Board of the Year at the national Big Brothers Big Sisters convention. Rebuilding after the challenges of the pandemic, BBBS of Southwest Colorado has implemented a new three-year strategy that emphasizes leadership and development within the staff and board. By Rachel Hughes. This story is sponsored by Kroeger's Ace Hardware and Happy Pappy's Pizza & Wings