How do we get to where we are — and how important is every little story? Native historian Johnny Valdez reminds us that we are each the product of a hundred generations, and that any one of those stories going differently means we wouldn't be here at all. That perspective, he says, is exactly what makes listening to someone else's story so powerful — because in their story, you find your own. Writing for the U.S. 250/Colorado 150 Power of Place Magazine, Valdez draws on his heritage as a member of the Ute Tribe to explore a largely untold chapter of Colorado's history: the Brunot Agreement of 1873, the treaty that transferred Ute ancestral lands to the United States government. It's a story most Colorado schoolchildren have never heard — they know the beautiful mountains, the great hikes, the fishing and skiing — but not the history beneath their feet. This is the land of the Great Spirit. That's what the Ute Tribe has always called it. And Valdez believes that knowing its true history transforms visitors and residents alike into protectors of this place. The Power of Place Magazine is a special initiative of the Colorado 150 Southwest organizing committee, featuring 20 articles by professional historians and local writers exploring Southwest Colorado's rich and complex heritage. This story is sponsored by Alpine Bank, Sky Ute Casino and Strater Hotel.
An estimated 3,200 protesters gathered in Buckley Park Saturday for Durango's third No Kings rally and march — part of a nationwide wave of protests spanning more than 3,300 rallies across all 50 states against the Trump administration. The crowd then took to Main Avenue — closed to traffic for the occasion — marching south toward Fifth Street. Speakers rallied attendees around concerns of balance of powers. This story is sponsored by the Payroll Department and Durango Gelato, Coffee & Tea.
The city kicks off its annual Spring Cleanup, Duranglers brings three days of fly fishing films, demos, and clinics, and Maria's Literary Foundation opens sign-ups for its Second Annual Read-a-Thon fundraiser benefiting youth literacy in Durango. This story is sponsored by Sky Ute Casino and Serious Texas Bar-B-Q.
Colorado's new Wildfire Resiliency Building Code requires fire-resistant materials and vegetation management for new construction and major home renovations in wildfire-prone areas. The town of Pagosa Springs plans to adopt the code April 1, with full implementation by July 1. Organizations like Wildfire Adapted Partnership offer free property assessments to help homeowners reduce their risk, even if the code does not apply to them yet. This story is sponsored by FASTSIGNS Durango and Blondies Trophy Room.
This week in Durango, the airport is collecting donations for TSA workers affected by the federal government shutdown, Durango Comedy takes the stage at the Durango Arts Center, and the Spring in the Rockies Arts and Crafts Festival closes out the month at the La Plata County Fairgrounds. This story is sponsored by The FLC Center for Innovation and Dunkin Donuts.
