After two successful years, Durango Transit will once again offer free transit along all its fixed routes starting June 1st, with the addition of free parking along select streets in Downtown Durango. Durango High School Troupe 1096 celebrates four nominations from the Bobby G High School Theater Awards for their production of “Urinetown.” During a May 6th visit to the Southern Ute Tribe, Senator Michael Bennet and Commission Touton announced $2.3 million in funding for their Pine River Indian Irrigation Project. You’re watching the Local News Roundup, brought to you by Happy Pappy’s Pizza ‘N Wings and the Payroll Department. I’m Sadie Smith. The city of Durango and Durango Transit have announced the return of free summer transit and select parking. The program, which starts June 1st, runs through August 31st, is funded by discretionary lodgers’ tax funding. All fixed route transit services are free, and metered parking spaces between Camino del Rio and Narrow Gauge Avenue on 7th, 8th, and 9th Streets will be free. The program is part of an effort to encourage residents and visitors alike to use public transit to reduce traffic congestion during the busy summer months and encourage the use of otherwise underused parking in the central business district. The City of Durango also offers affordable parking at the Transit Center parking lot. Passes are $30 a month for businesses and employees, and visitors can purchase a day pass for $5. During a visit to the Southern New Indian Tribal Council on May 6th, Senator Michael Bennet and Bureau of Reclamation Commission Touton announced $2.3 million in funding for the Pine River Indian Irrigation Project. The funding, through the Bureau of Reclamation’s WaterSMART Drought Resiliency Program, will enable infrastructure upgrades on tribal lands. The project includes upgrading the water system to provide reliable water levels and to enable the tribe to divert its full allocation of water during low flows. During the visit, Senator Bennet said, “For far too long, “the United States has failed to live up “to its responsibility to adequately fund “and maintain the Pine River Irrigation Project. “I was grateful to travel to Ignacio today “with Commissioner Touton to welcome this investment “to ensure the Southern Ute Tribe “can access the water it needs. “There is much more work to be done, “but this is a great start.” Durango High School Troupe 1096 talent was recognized at the annual Bobby G High School Theater Awards. Troupe 1096 put forward their production of “Urinetown” for consideration and nabbed four nominations for the production. Petra Lyon was nominated for Outstanding Achievement in Musical Direction. Outstanding Achievement in Choreography went to Ava Allen, Gillian Reynolds, Jenny Fitts Reynolds, and Benjamin Mattson, Outstanding Achievement in Direction for Mattson and Fitts Reynolds, and Outstanding Overall Production of a Musical for the entire cast, crew, and DHS. The last nomination is the Bobby G equivalent of an Oscar nod. A Troupe 1096 received the nomination over several other schools. The awards show with the presentations will be May 17th at the Buell Theatre in Denver, where Troupe 1096 students will perform a selection from “Urinetown.” Learn more about these and other stories online at durangolocal.news. Thank you for watching this edition of the Local News Roundup. I’m Sadie Smith.
