Excelsior Plant Rises from the Ashes

Join Visit Durango for the premiere of its first feature film, “Send it Like a Local” Friday, November 18th. The City of Durango’s 2023 Community Survey results are in - residents are overall happy with the recreational opportunities available, but concerned about general affordability, and the annual Singing with Santa event returns, with some fun new additions! By Hannah Robertson. This story is sponsored by Sky Ute Casino and Kroeger’s Ace Hardware

Since its inception in 2016, Table to Farm Compost has grown its network of local and regional partners to build the region's largest composting network. Recently, Ska Brewing signed on to provide 100% of its used grain to Table to Farm’s new facility. The partnership is helping both parties with their mission and outreach. By Connor Shreve. This story is sponsored by Sky Ute Casino and Kroegers Ace Hardware

For the first time ever, Fort Lewis College will send both a men’s and women’s team to the NCAA Division II National Championship meet in the same season. It marks the first time in ten years a men’s team from Fort Lewis has qualified. The men's team punched its ticket by running to a sixth-place finish at the South Central Regional, an improvement from last season's 11th place finish. The FLC women solidified their spot by running to a ninth-place finish at regionals. By Connor Shreve. This story is sponsored by Serious Texas BBQ and Kroegers Ace Hardware

San Juan Basin Public Health will close this December, in accordance with agreements with La Plata and Archuleta counties, who will be responsible for providing public health services to their counties. Two Durango School District 9-R Board of Education members received the McGuffy Award for their service. Snowmaking has begun at Purgatory Resort in preparation for the 2024/25 ski season, and Noel Night is returning this December. By Hannah Robertson. This story is sponsored by The Payroll Department and Tafoya Barrett & Associates

Daniel Seddiqui, titled the “Most Traveled Person in America” by Rick Steves, finally crossed Southwest Colorado off his list of places to visit. As of this fall, Seddiqui had visited every pinpoint on the U.S. map except for four. As part of his motto to “live the map,” Seddiqui makes it a priority to emerge himself in the culture and community of the places he visits: connecting with locals, working jobs, and participating in various activities. A career counselor by profession, Seddiqui also does public speaking and encourages teens and young adults to be curious and step outside their comfort zones. By Rachel Hughes. This story is sponsored by Serious Texas BBQ and Happy Pappy's Pizza & Wings

A new business in Dolores caters to outdoor enthusiasts traveling through Montezuma County. The Dolores Bike Hostel has 23 beds ranging from bunk rooms to private rooms and one private suite. Owner Jacob Carloni hopes his lodge helps travelers access the world class outdoor recreation the Four Corners has to offer. The Dolores Bike Hostel is pledging to work within local artists, organizations and businesses on future collaborations ranging from gallery nights to group events and anything in between. By Connor Shreve. This story is sponsored by Blondies Trophy Room and Big-O Tires

DHS Troupe 1096 opens their 2023-24 season with a magical journey to Middle Earth. The Hobbit, based on JRR Tolkien’s epic adventure tale, runs from November 3rd to November 11th at Durango High School. Troupe 1096 provides robust opportunities for high school students to explore theatre art, technical design, and theatre management. Students are empowered to create and lead in all aspects of production. Tickets are available online. By Jessica McCallum. This story is sponsored by Happy Pappy's Pizza & Wings and Kroegers Ace Hardware

With the return of an El Niño winter, the City of Durango wants to help make sure homes and pipes are insulated and ready to prevent unexpected costs from a burst pipe. Durango Transit recently launched the DuranGO! microtransit app to provide on-demand service after hours within city limits, and the Colorado Department of Motor Vehicles has announced that Android users will be able to add their Colorado ID to Google Wallet. By Hannah Robertson. This story is sponsored by The Payroll Department and Tafoya Barrett & Associates

After spawning kokanee salmon from McPhee Reservoir, Colorado Parks and Wildlife gives away salmon that otherwise would die in the Dolores River. Parks and Wildlife have been doing these giveaways since the 1990s. Two more giveaways are planned for November 2nd and November 9th. Hopeful recipients should line up an hour before the start time, as the salmon runs out quickly. By Ilana Newman. This story is sponsored by the LOR Foundation and Blondies Trophy Room

Fox Fire Farms Winery has been producing wine commercially since 2010. Every year since then, it has relied on the efforts of volunteer grape harvesters. The group comes from around the region to make sure Fox Fire gets the most out of its fruits. The group comes from around the region to help the winery end its season. By Connor Shreve. This story is sponsored by Tafoya Barrett & Associates and Happy Pappy’s Pizza & Wings

Cyclist Sepp Kuss played an integral role in Jumbo Visma’s historic dominance of the sport’s three grand tours. He topped it off by winning the Tour of Spain. Durango honored its native son with a party, including live music, a downtown bike parade, and a live Q&A session. American cycling fans flocked to Durango for the event. By Connor Shreve. This story is sponsored by Kroegers Ace Hardware and Sky Ute Casino

Fort Lewis College is renaming its School of Business Administration to the Katz School of Business in recognition of a generous donation of $10.4 million by Marc and Jane Katz. Durango School District 9-R is hosting a school safety training event, organized by the I Love U Guys Foundation. The City of Durango is inviting artists to contribute to various art projects at the Santa Rita Water Reclamation Facility, and celebrate Halloween at the Children’s Halloween in downtown Durango with businesses offering treats, and a Halloween carnival and trunk-or-treat organized by TBK Bank and the Boys and Girls Club of La Plata County. By Hannah Robertson. This story is sponsored by The Payroll Department and Sky Ute Casino

Residents in Montezuma County and surrounding areas are frustrated with solar development in the community. They cite loss of views, loss of wildlife habitat, land degradation, and construction noise and dust as main concerns. But, agrivoltaics, the combination of agriculture and solar, could provide a potential solution for concerns and give farmers another source of income. By Ilana Newman. This story is sponsored by Boon’s Family Thai Barbecue and Northern Edge Casino

Come celebrate the final weeks of the “We Are Water” exhibit at Ignacio Community Library with a book discussion and a free book. Make your very own Frankenstein’s monster to celebrate Halloween - pick up a design from the library’s desk and remember to vote for your favorite! The Halloween Carnival promises to be a family-fun event, enjoy the celebrations with friends and family. And applications are open for the Southern Ute Indian Tribe Environment Program’s cost-share programs for landowners. By Hannah Robertson. This story is sponsored by Happy Pappy’s Pizza & Wings and Tafoya, Barrett & Associates

Exciting plans are in store for Happy Pappy’s Pizza & Wings, with a planned expansion to Denver and beyond! Owner Mark Anderson has announced that Happy Pappy’s will soon become a chain, creating stores beyond Durango while providing opportunities for Durango students with a $1,000 scholarship for the career and technical education program. As part of the planned expansion, Anderson is looking for a local family to take over the running of the Durango location. By Hannah Robertson. This story is sponsored by Serious Texas BBQ and The Payroll Department

WIIN grant funds are available to private landowners within the mapped program area in the Florida River watershed who complete a free home wildfire risk assessment and hire a contractor to complete wildfire mitigation on their parcel. La Plata County's goal is to protect the Florida River, improve emergency response and evacuation times and reduce the threat of severe wildfire. By Connor Shreve. This story is sponsored by Sky Ute Casino and Tafoya, Barrett & Associates

The City of Durango and Table to Farm Compost are partnering to provide leaf composting services to city residents as part of a new pilot program. The Colorado Department of Motor Vehicles has announced record sales of the commemorative plates for the sesquicentennial anniversary of Colorado, and motorists and pedestrians are asked to use alternative routes while work on the Highway 160 Animas River Bridge is completed. By Hannah Robertson. This story is sponsored by The Payroll Department and Serious Texas BBQ

Dan Korman from Alpenglow Properties discusses the third-quarter stats for single-family homes in Durango. He highlights the challenges for buyers due to rising interest rates nearing 8% and the scarcity of affordable homes. Despite a 10% increase in single-family home listings in town compared to last year, there's a surprising dip in September sales due to low supply. The median price for in-town homes is $817,000, up 7% from the previous year. County-wide, it's $750,000, an 11% increase. With low inventory, high prices, and increasing interest rates, the future is uncertain, but Dan remains cautiously optimistic for 2024.

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