The warm weather signals more than the start of summer; it also introduces the Farmers Market season. Support local farmers and small businesses and keep your dollars in the local economy. By Sadie Smith. This story is sponsored by FASTSIGNS Durango and Sky Ute Casino.

The City of Durango invites community to comment on the Downtown’s Next Step project, Southwest Safehouse celebrates its 40th anniversary with an event at Four Leaves Winery, and the Southern Ute Behavioral Health calls youth artists to submit artwork to be featured on a mural in Ignacio. By Sadie Smith. This story is sponsored by Payroll Department and Serious Texas Bar-B-Q.

Former state representative Barbara McLachlan and retired Physician Mary Gerodetti hope to effect positive change on a hyper-local level. By Connor Shreve. This story is sponsored by Kroegers Ace Hardware and M&R Plumbing.

Durango Transit offers free public transportation all summer, celebrate Durango’s western heritage with the True Western Roundup rodeos every Wednesday, and don't miss Gardens on Tour at the end of the month. By Sadie Smith. This story is sponsored by San Juan Regional Medical Center and Tafoya Barrett & Associates.

Current phase of expansion adds new gates, security checkpoint and baggage area by the end of 2026. By Connor Shreve. This story is sponsored by Payroll Department and Serious Texas Bar-B-Q.

After a scary and lonely battle with cancer, Val Russel, owner of the Flying Hatter, wants to use her experience to help others undergoing cancer treatment. Hats for the C Word gives cancer patients the opportunity to design a free custom hat. By Sadie Smith. This story is sponsored by Durango Gelato, Coffee & Tea and Crystal Mart.

Police were called to capture Irwin, a pet kangaroo, after he made his second escape this year. Concerts in the Park starts back up in June. And the City of Durango asks residents to be mindful with water consumption after a dry winter. By Sadie Smith. This story is sponsored by FLC Center for Innovation and Happy Pappy's Pizza & Wings.

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.