WATTS UP: Increase Comfort, Save Costs

What with all the snow this winter so far, how do you know if you’re parked on a snow route, or when your street will be plowed? The City of Durango prioritizes certain roads during heavy snowfall and has a handy snow route map to figure out where you can and can’t park during a snowstorm. The Redball Express returns to Durango’s Snowdown activities to help fundraise for Durango and Bayfield Rotary Clubs. And the City of Durango and Durango Fire Protection District have decided against moving forward with a joint facility for the Durango Police Department and fire station at River City Hall. By Hannah Robertson This story is sponsored by Serious Texas BBQ and Pop's Truck & RV Center

The La Plata County Humane Society completed a full shelter renovation that modernized and upgraded the 25-year-old building. Now on-par with the most modern facilities in the Four Corners area, the non-profit can more easily carry out its objective of enhancing and protecting the lives of companion animals. By Connor Shreve This story is sponsored by The Man Cave Barbers and Serious Texas BBQ

Have you ever looked up at the night sky and wondered how to keep the stars so bright? The Colorado Tourism Office has partnered with the International Dark Skies Association to help communities get their Dark Sky Certificate, a way to celebrate and maintain the beauty of the night skies. Durango, Colorado, is participating in the Colorado Dark Sky Mentorship Program through OEDIT and the Colorado Tourism Office. The program will help Durango and other participating communities learn what they need to do to get their certification and help spread the word on the importance of darker night skies and brighter stars. By Hannah Robertson This story is sponsored by Tafoya Barret and Associates and Pop's Truck and RV

Initially a local geologist’s dream office located seventy feet below sandstone ground, Kokopelli Cave became a five-star bed and breakfast in Farmington. It’s located on a three-hundred-foot desert cliff overlooking the lovely La Plata River Valley. Seventeen hundred square feet of carpeted cave offers a full kitchen, and jet tub water flow. Open March first through December first, it accommodates up to eight people for a one-of-a-kind experience. By Donna K. Hewett This story is sponsored by The Big Idea Makerspace at San Juan College and CMIT Solutions

The City of Durango is set to adopt the Comprehensive Parking Plan presented to the city in December of 2022. The plan takes into account many of the issues for parking in Durango, especially in the downtown area, while making room for future improvements depending on tourism, city-wide growth, and more. San Juan Basin Public Health wants to hear from La Plata and Archuleta residents about local public and environmental health needs to develop its 5-year public health improvement plan. Local COVID-19 community testing sites are now closed, but that doesn’t mean tests aren’t available. By Hannah Robertson This story is sponsored by StoneAge Tools and Community Foundation Serving Southwest Colorado

One retired teacher in Pagosa Springs wants to help local students in southwest Colorado expand their horizons through unique experiences. Flowstone Education is the brainchild of Cheetah & Brad McClellan and aims to provide low-income students in Colorado with workshops and summer camps designed to expand their horizons and expose them to opportunities beyond their hometowns. Workshops are led by local experts in fields ranging from beauticians to screenwriters, YouTubers to cooks, and more. By Hannah Robertson This story is sponsored by Service Master Restore and The Payroll Department

FLC Junior runner Katie Fankhouser enjoyed a celebrity welcome home to Durango after placing 26th in the NCAA Division Two Cross Country National Championships. After a short break, her focus for 2023 include school records and a National Championship. By Connor Shreve This story is sponsored by Tafoya Barrett & Associates and ServiceMaster Restore

On this episode of the Durango Real Estate Update, Dan Korman delves into the year-end statistics focusing on average sales pricing in Durango, Bayfield, and north county resort area. The prices maintained record levels in 2022, but the number of units sold were down across the board year over year. Watch this month’s episode for the 2022 real estate market recap. By Dan Korman This story is sponsored by Alpenglow Properties, LLC

Construction on the new Miller Middle School was projected to cost $45 million when voters passed the bond issue in 2020. A total of $90 million was part of the bond, which included the career/resource center. Miller Middle School will be built to foster the district's goal of preparing students for life after school. By Connor Shreve This story is sponsored by 2180 Lighting & Design Studio and The Law Firm of Downs, McDonough, Cowan & Foley

The official beer of Snowdown ’23 is an horchata-spiced ale with vanilla, cinnamon and citrus notes coming in at six percent ABV created Ska Brewing. Hornblower Horchata is available in 12 oz. 4-packs now through the end of Snowdown Sunday February 5th. By Connor Shreve This story is sponsored by StoneAge Tools and the Community Foundation Serving Southwest Colorado

Joshua Bates accepted the prestigious selection last season. Only 100 football players receive the honor of putting on the All-American Bowl jersey each year. Each player selected to participate will culminate their high school careers at the All-American Bowl. The game will be televised live on NBC at 11 AM MT. By Connor Shreve This story is sponsored by the Man Cave Barber and 2180 Lighting & Design Studio

The Bonita Peak Mining District, designated a Superfund Site by the Environmental Protection Agency in 2016, was evaluated by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry to determine the safety of camping around the area. Miller Middle School invites you to join its groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of the new middle school, funded in part by Bond Issue 4A, and recycle your Christmas Trees at Santa Rita Park. By Hannah Robertson. This story is sponsored by Happy Pappy’s Pizza and Wings and Kroeger’s Ace Hardware

Over the last couple of years, camping has grown in popularity and accessibility, as more and more people are getting out and enjoying the outdoors. From tent camping to RV’s, many people are taking advantage of different ways to recreate, but even with more campsites available to campers, there are still some areas that are more restricted. Enter Sasquatch Campers, which, with their custom-built suspension system, enables the system to go further and see more. By Hannah Robertson This story is sponsored by Happy Pappy’s Pizza and Wings and Kroeger’s Ace Hardware

Durango is known for its natural beauty, inspiring people from all walks of life with various artistic endeavors, but how best to get started? The Creative District has started an incubator program designed to support local, emerging artists with mentorship, training and the opportunity to have a gallery show at Stillwater Music. In December, Ted Moore opened his exhibit, ‘natura fabricata’, featuring a variety of his pieces, supported by the incubator program. By Hannah Robertson This story is sponsored by StoneAge and the Community Foundation Serving Southwest Colorado

Alpine Bank has sponsored Community Matters, a regular segment highlighting various nonprofits in our community. Eric Eicher of Alpine Bank sat down to talk about the importance of supporting local nonprofits through volunteer work, donation drives, and financial support. This story is sponsored by Alpine Bank

Colorado’s Plastic Pollution Reduction Act phase one is set to begin January 1st, with the implementation of a $0.10 bag fee for disposal bags at certain retail locations across the state of Colorado. The Dolores River Brewery is featured in a charity coloring book produced by RadCraft and the James Beard Foundation, and LPEA’s scholarship applications have opened. By Hannah Robertson. This story is sponsored by Pop’s Truck and RV Center and The Payroll Department

As the holiday season ramps up this year, news about the flu, RSV, and COVID is doing the same. San Juan Basin Public Health and other local healthcare providers are asking residents to stay safe this year and observe precautions as you head to family and work gatherings this holiday season. maybe add more here? By Hannah Robertson. This story is sponsored by The Law Firms of Downs, McDonough, Cowan & Foley and Serious Texas BBQ

Whether ice fishing, skating, sledding or snowshoeing, it is important to take the right precautions and bring the correct equipment to keep you and your family safe. Colorado Parks and Wildlife reminds people to stay safe on the ice this winter. While a great reason to get outdoors in the winter months, ice can be dangerous without proper preparation and an understanding of the dangers. By Connor Shreve. This story is sponsored by Choice Building Supply Ace Hardware and The LOR Foundation

The Iron Horse Bicycle Classic, coming off from last year’s celebrations, will open registration for the 2023 event. Durango Wine Experience Early Bird Tickets are available until December 31st, and Fort Lewis College will celebrate over 200 graduates at its Fall Commencement Ceremony. The Durango Police Department’s Drone Unit will celebrate a successful first year in January with over 100 flights. By Hannah Robertson. This story is sponsored by Happy Pappy’s Pizza and Wings and Kroegers Ace Hardware

Over the course of 2022, the real estate market has seen some of the starkest effects of change in our monetary policy. With interest rates up and prices maintaining at record levels, it seems that the local market may finally be beginning to see cracks in the surface of the fast paced free-wheeling buyer demand. Winter has come, and the seasonal slowdown coupled with uncertainty is leading some buyers to pause the search while others persistently search out the right deal. What’s to happen in 2023? Watch this month’s episode of The Durango Real Estate Update to make your predictions. By Dan Korman. This story is sponsored by Alpenglow Properties, LLC