The heavy snowfall this past winter means a longer spring runoff season. City officials have already delayed the opening of Lake Nighthorse as the temporary road surface experienced damage over the winter, and some seasonal closures on Bureau of Land Management land are now extended to the end of April. Help to nominate the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad for USA Today’s “Top Ten Scenic Railway in North America”, and spring clean-up has begun – make sure to check Durango Recycles for when to expect pick-up in your neighborhood. By Hannah Robertson. This story is sponsored by Kroegers Ace Hardware and Happy Pappy’s Pizza and Wings

Gardening in Southwest Colorado takes more patience and preparation than in many other warmer and wetter states. The area is susceptible to unpredictable frosts, drought, smoke, and a shorter growing window, yet it is still possible to have a highly productive garden. Mountain Roots Food Project has a spring gardening guide to help better understand the challenges and planning needed to succeed in our gardens this summer. By Connor Shreve. This story is sponsored by The Payroll Department and Serious Texas BBQ

Sacred Song Farm, a first generation, family farm in Mancos, is expanding, adding an outdoor construction company to its portfolio. Sacred Song Designs specializes in projects based on permaculture design philosophies and Key Line Design techniques. Owners say the business will operate on the same principles as its now seven-year-old farm – to live in harmony with nature. By Connor Shreve. This story is sponsored by Big O Tires and FASTSIGNS

Doctor Lisa Snyder started as the Executive Dean at Pueblo Community College Southwest on February 1st. Snyder and her family have lived in Durango since 2013. Prior to joining Pueblo Community College Southwest, she was the dean of the School of Humanities at San Juan College. She also worked as the associate vice president for academic affairs at Fort Lewis College. Snyder is based at the PCC Southwest campus in Mancos and also oversees sites in Durango and Bayfield. By Connor Shreve. This story is sponsored by the Lor Foundation and Choice Building Supply Ace Hardware

As part of the City of Durango’s Sustainability Plan, the City wants to engage with local businesses and organizations to create long-lasting, sustainable projects in and around town. The Green Durango Grants is coming off a successful inaugural year with five different local organizations receiving grants for projects ranging from solar panel installation to wildfire mitigation to land and habitat restoration. By Hannah Robertson. This story is sponsored by Kroegers Ace Hardware and Serious Texas BBQ

When did you first begin learning financial literacy? For many students in Durango and surrounding areas, they’ll be able to say they started learning in elementary school, thanks to Know Your Dough. Founded in 2013, Know Your Dough has age-appropriate courses and lessons for children and young adults to better prepare them for the future – from learning about positive saving and spending habits to what to look for when it comes to student loans and mortgages. By Hannah Robertson. This story is brought you by Alpine Bank.

The City of Durango has announced $5.2 million for affordable housing. Local land conservancy groups (The Old Fort at Hesperus, La Plata Open Space Conservancy, Montezuma Land Conservancy to name a few) are hosting a series of meetings on the top of equitable land access in the Durango and Montezuma/Cortez areas, and the City of Durango has announced an e-bike rebate for local individuals and businesses. By Hannah Robertson. This story is sponsored by Happy Pappy’s Pizza and Wings and Pop’s Truck & RV Center

The 2021 infrastructure bill earmarked more money for broadband internet access than ever before. The Southern Ute Indian Tribe is one beneficiary, getting nearly $44 million to connect nearly 1,800 Native American households to high speed internet. Funds will be deployed locally to help close the digital divide faced by Tribal communities. By Connor Shreve. This story is sponsored by Southwest Health System and Big O Tires

La Plata Open Space Conservancy announced the protection of 218 acres of land from future development through the use of conservation easements in La Plata County. A proposed plan to turn the former 9-R Administration Building into a community civic center is available for the public to view. Highway 172 between Ignacio and Elmore’s Corner began a resurfacing project this month, and Lake Nighthorse opens for summer recreation on March 31st. By Hannah Robertson. This story is sponsored by 2180 Lighting and Design Studio and Serious Texas BBQ

When Robert Holmes noticed a need for sober housing in La Plata County, Colorado, and San Juan County, New Mexico, he decided to do something about it, founding a nonprofit organization called Pura Vida for Good. Holmes, who is the owner of the river resort Tico Time on the Colorado/New Mexico border, plans to turn the resort festivals into benefits to fund the construction of and upkeep of sober housing and recovery homes in the two counties. This story is sponsored by CMIT Solutions and The Big Idea Makerspace at San Juan College