Durango Local NEWS by LNN

New MTB Race Brings Stage Racing Back to Durango
Apr28

New MTB Race Brings Stage Racing Back to Durango

Durango Derby is focused on bringing big-time mountain bike racing back to the four-corners region with a unique new race format. The race features four stages in one day, that showcase Durango’s premium in-town singletrack. Organizers promise a “fun-forward” event that caters to pro’s, amateurs and spectators alike. Riders will be able to enter solo, or as part of a two-person or four-person team. By Connor Shreve. This story is sponsored by Kroeger’s Ace Hardware and Tafoya Barrett & Associates

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Wolfing Around for Education
Apr21

Wolfing Around for Education

Wolves, in their haunting beauty and untamed wildness, are both a source of adoration and fear among people. At WolfWood Refuge, Paula Woerner and her team of volunteers provide experiences and opportunities for people to get up close with the animals that call the sanctuary home – ranging from full wolves and coyotes to animals that had to be surrendered due to inhumane conditions. One such educational event takes place annually at Purgatory Mountain Resort. By Hannah Robertson. This story is sponsored by The Payroll Department and Happy Pappy’s Pizza and Wings

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Adaptive Sports Association Preps for Summer Season
Apr21

Adaptive Sports Association Preps for Summer Season

Staffers at the Durango-based Adaptive Sports Association are reflecting on a memorable winter as the organization readies for its summer season. The association, which provides outdoor experiences for people with disabilities, hosted about 600 lessons this winter, as it trends back to pre-pandemic demand. Upcoming summer programming includes river trips, cycling tours, camping trips and more. The Adaptive Sports Association also offers programming that caters to disabled military veterans such as Team River Runner. By Connor Shreve. This story is sponsored by Happy Pappy’s Pizza & Wings and Kroegers Ace Hardware

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City Council Election Results Announced
Apr21

City Council Election Results Announced

The City of Durango City Council election results were announced after a mandatory recount. A new energy contract might save the city $5.8 million over the next 20 years. San Juan Basin Public Health wants residents to be aware of animal-bourne illnesses and how to prevent them as the weather begins warming up, and come join Earth Day Durango on April 22nd for Earth Day-related activities in Buckley Park. The event is made possible by the City of Durango, Table to Farm Compost, the BringIt! Campaign, and the Durango High School Green Team. By Hannah Robertson. This story is sponsored by The Payroll Department and Kroegers Ace Hardware

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Sunshine, Balloons, Skiing, Snow
Apr21

Sunshine, Balloons, Skiing, Snow

An employee thank-you turned event, the second annual Pagosa Triathlon organized by Pagosa Adventure advertised hot-air balloon rides, spring skiing competitions, and a rafting event. And then Mother Nature arrived, and the weekend event became a case study in changing plans. Although snowy fields and windy weather thwarted a few of the events, the triathlon teams still managed to find some fun, sun, and clear blue skies. By Hannah Robertson. This story is sponsored by The Payroll Department and Serious Texas BBQ

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Local Author Launches Baseball-Themed Novel
Apr14

Local Author Launches Baseball-Themed Novel

Author Mark Stevens makes his first foray into the world of baseball with his latest release: The Fireballer. The Fireballer is a novel about Frank Ryder, a tortured hero who grapples with talent, change and loneliness. Ultimately Ryder must come to terms with his circumstances to find peace off the diamond. By Connor Shreve. This story is sponsored by the Lor Foundation and Big O Tires

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The Average Sold Price in Q1 is DOWN!
Apr14

The Average Sold Price in Q1 is DOWN!

Spring has sprung! It’s the end of the first quarter and I have some fantastic news! The average sold price of single-family homes in LPC, Durango, and Bayfield are all down in Q1 year over year. Find out more in this month’s episode of the Real Estate Update. By Dan Korman. This story is sponsored by Alpenglow Properties

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Spring Showers Cause Delayed Opening
Apr12

Spring Showers Cause Delayed Opening

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

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Getting a Jumpstart on Your Garden
Apr11

Getting a Jumpstart on Your Garden

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

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Regenerative Family Farm Adds Landscaping Business
Apr10

Regenerative Family Farm Adds Landscaping Business

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

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Get to Know the New Dean at PCC SW
Apr05

Get to Know the New Dean at PCC SW

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

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Community-Wide Sustainability
Apr05

Community-Wide Sustainability

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

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Community Matters – Know Your Dough
Apr04

Community Matters – Know Your Dough

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.

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City of Durango Announces Affordable Housing Allocations
Mar29

City of Durango Announces Affordable Housing Allocations

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

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Local Tribes Get Broadband Boost
Mar29

Local Tribes Get Broadband Boost

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

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218 Acres of Land Saved
Mar29

218 Acres of Land Saved

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

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Making the Pura Vida
Mar29

Making the Pura Vida

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

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Serving Youth Where They Are
Mar29

Serving Youth Where They Are

La Plata Youth Services is here for youths and teens at all stages – whether they need a bit of help at school or a safe place to spend the afternoon or weekend. With a variety of programs designed to target specific needs within the community, La Plata Youth Services aims to ensure the wellbeing and success of every young person it serves. By Hannah Robertson. This story is sponsored by Service Master Restore and Serious Texas BBQ

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Fly Fishing Film Festival Drops Line in Durango
Mar29

Fly Fishing Film Festival Drops Line in Durango

The International Fly Fishing Film Festival will visit Durango for the first time Saturday, April 1. Two screenings will be hosted by the Doubletree Hotel by Hilton at 5 pm and 8 pm. Tickets are available online through Five Rivers Trout Unlimited or in-person at Duranglers for $20. By Connor Shreve. This story is sponsored by Pops Truck & RV Center and The Payroll Department

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Rounding Up to Help Teachers Out
Mar29

Rounding Up to Help Teachers Out

RoundUp for Teachers, a brainstorm from this year’s Leadership La Plata class, aims to fill the much-needed gap between teachers’ salaries and their cost of living. Inspired by similar movements on the Front Range, RoundUp for Teachers encourages local shoppers to round up their purchases at participating stores throughout the month of March. The end goal is to help teachers in Durango and La Plata County earn a sustainable, living wage through informational campaigns. By Hannah Robertson. This story is sponsored by Happy Pappy’s Pizza & Wings and Pop’s Truck & RV Center

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