Ready for the annual or solar eclipse? Find the best viewing location, but spots are going fast. Or sign up for the Chili Cookoff at Backcountry Experience and 10K run. The Community Foundation serving Southwest Colorado invites you to join them and Bode Miller for a film screen and discussion about mental health in Rocky Mountain ski towns. You’re watching “The Local News Roundup”, brought to you by the Payroll Department and Serious Texas Barbecue. I’m Gillian Arwine. With the Four Corners region directly in the path of the upcoming solar annular eclipse, locals and travelers alike are preparing to have their eyes on the sky, October 14th. Hotels and campsites in the Four Corners region are booking quickly as Cortez, Dove Creek, and Mesa Verde National Park are listed as the top places to view the annular solar eclipse in Colorado. This type of eclipse occurs when the moon passes between the sun and earth, blocking the sun and leaving only an outline of sunlight or the ring of fire visible in sky. While other areas may be able to view a partial eclipse, Colorado is one of 9 states along the path of annularity where the ring of fire will be visible. And what better way to celebrate the solar eclipse this fall than with a 10K run and a chili cookoff? Come run Hogsback in the Ned over in Mountain Park with the chili chase sponsored by Topo Athletic and Backcountry Experience. All runners will be provided with solar eclipse glasses for the 9:00 AM run start. For some runners, the 10:30 AM eclipse might just hit them at the top of Hogsback. The run starts and ends at Backcountry Experience where the chili cookoff will be. Runners eat free. The best chili will be crowned the chili queen or king as decided by the Chili Eaters. Registration opened October 1st, so sign up today. The Community Foundation serving Southwest Colorado is bringing Olympic gold medalist, Bode Miller to Durango and Pagosa Springs as part of the “Making a Difference Speaker” series. Miller and filmmaker Brett Rapkin collaborated to produce a film called “Paradise Paradox”, exploring the mental health crisis impacting ski towns in the Rocky Mountains. The film and following discussion will focus on mental health challenges and hopeful solutions. There will be four showings total, two in Durango and two in Pagosa Springs, October 18th and 19th. There’s limited seating available so make sure to buy your tickets online. Learn more about these and other stories online at Durango Local dot News. Thank you for watching this edition of the “Local News Roundup”. I’m Gillian Arnwine.
