WATTS UP: Tapping Into Employee Expertise

The Durango Spring Rewards Program is back as of April 1st where shoppers can earn gift cards by spending money locally at participating stores. The 28th Annual Durango Bluegrass Meltdown is happening the weekend of April 19th through the 21st. Durango Sustainable Goods invites you to an Earth Day film screening of Fashion Reimagined on April 12th at 6 p.m. New presidents have been appointed for Fort Lewis College and Pueblo Community College. Fort Lewis College has appointed Steven Schwartz as interim Vice President for Finance and Administration, and Pueblo Community College has named Dr. Chato Hazelbaker as president. By Rachel Hughes. This story is sponsored by Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers and Dunkin' Donuts

The Wildwood Dance Project, a collective of local dance artists, is hosting a free film screening at the Smiley Building on Friday, April 12th at 7 pm in the Move Studio. The original films showcase the company’s philosophy of engaging new audiences with dance through collaborative multimedia projects. The company will also be holding open auditions for new dancers on Saturday, April 20th from 1-2:30 pm at the Smiley Building. More information about the Wildwood Dance Project can be found online. By Jessica McCallum. This story is sponsored by Tafoya Barrett & Associates and Sky Ute Casino Resort.

Aztec Adventures three-race gravel series runs from April through October featuring the unique terrain outside Farmington, Aztec, and Blanco. The Galactic Grinder opens the action on April 6th with three distance options for riders of all abilities. Reliant on the energy sector for decades, the sandy washes and windy ridges surrounding Aztec and Farmington offer a scenic and challenging cycling arena easily accessible from a large portion of the Four Corners region. By Connor Shreve. This story is sponsored by Home2Suites and Northern Edge Casino.

Animas High School’s Osprey Theatre Company is staging a showcase of original student work at the Durango Arts Center on April 5th and 6th. The evening will feature two student-authored one-act plays and a guest appearance by the AHS improv troupe. The AHS theatre program follows the school’s project-based approach, fostering student creativity and collaboration in all aspects of production. Tickets can be purchased on the Durango Art Center’s website. By Jessica McCallum. This story is sponsored by Kroegers Ace Hardware and Serious Texas BBQ.

Alpenglow Properties, a leading real estate brokerage in Durango, Colorado, provides an introduction into various financing options tailored for new home buyers in the Durango Area. By Logan Shreck. This story is sponsored by Alpenglow Properties.

The Ignacio School District has relaunched its rodeo club, providing students a unique opportunity to train in various events. Unlike traditional teams, this club offers individualized coaching, preparing students for independent competition. With a focus on skill development and community involvement, the club aims to foster a love for rodeo across La Plata County. By Sadie Smith. This story is sponsored by Tafoya Barrett & Associates and Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers.

The City of Durango has reached an agreement in principle with Durango School District 9-R for the purchase of Buckley Park. Celebrate Arbor Day this month with an exhibit of local artists at the Durango Recreation Center, and design your own at the Tree Coloring Contest with Durango Public Library. Small business owners can take a free Sales Tax Fundamentals course, designed by OEDIT and the Colorado Department of Revenue, and the El Pomar Foundation is looking for applicants for the 2024 Penrose Organizational and Professional Leadership Experience (PeOPLE) program. By Hannah Robertson. This story is sponsored by The Payroll Department and Happy Pappy’s Pizza & Wings.

Mancos Common Press sits at the intersection of art and historical preservation. Over the past decade, the organization has revived the old Mancos Times-Tribune building and supported a thriving artist community around letterpress and printing. Now, they are expanding into affordable housing, with the new Mancos Commons project which will be completed in May. The Mancos Commons includes three one-bedroom apartments and additional studio space for the Press. By Ilana Newman. This story is sponsored by Keesee Motors and Lor Foundation.

The City of Durango's annual spring clean-up, starting April 1st, encourages residents to prepare items like furniture and large appliances for collection, reminding them to separate yard waste from scrap metal and follow guidelines for placement. United Airlines is launching seasonal nonstop flights from George Bush International Airport in Houston to Durango-La Plata County Airport, providing more travel options for passengers from Southeast Texas. Colorado's fishing license sale for 2024-2025 introduces a new regulation for Hermosa Creek, while Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwest Colorado invites everyone to celebrate its 40th anniversary with a gala on April 18th. By Hannah Robertson. This story is sponsored by Sky Ute Casino and Dunkin Donuts.

A look inside the La Plata County Fairgrounds, a historic hub of community events and engagement in Durango, Colorado. Learn about the array of activities offered, from rodeos and 4-H fairs to educational programs facilitated by Colorado State University Extension. Discover the fairgrounds' commitment to affordability and accessibility, making it the perfect venue for all types of gatherings. By Sadie Smith. This story is sponsored by Alpine Bank.

Warmer days mean a switch in cocktail menus across the southwest. As National Cocktail Month gives way to April, bar managers add fresh and light flavors to their menus. San Juan Sips Owner Stephanie Sarussi takes a floral approach to spring drinks. By Connor Shreve. This story is sponsored by Kroegers Ace Hardware and Serious Texas BBQ.

The 8th annual benefit for the Uncompahgre River and 18th Annual F3T Fly Fishing Film Tour recently took place in Ridgway, Colorado, supporting the Uncompahgre Watershed Partnership. Attendees enjoyed diverse fly-fishing films while contributing to restoration projects and education initiatives aimed at enhancing the health of the watershed. Policymakers, including State Senator Cleave Simpson, emphasized the importance of protecting water resources amidst legal and environmental challenges. By Sadie Smith. This story is sponsored by Sky Ute Casino Resort and Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers.

La Plata County has introduced the Wildfire Resource Center, an online platform providing comprehensive information on wildfire mitigation efforts, risk assessment, and preparation techniques for residential properties. The Southern Ute Indian Tribe's annual spring clean-up is scheduled for April 18th-19th, offering services for tribal members and tenants within the tribal boundaries to dispose of household items. The community is invited to join the Easter Egg Hunt on March 23rd at SunUte Park, featuring categories for various age groups, food from local vendors, and games with prizes alongside the egg hunt festivities. By Hannah Robertson. This story is sponsored by Happy Pappy’s Pizza & Wings and Kroeger’s Ace Hardware.

Dr. John Hoerl of Durango High School has been awarded the 2024 Colorado Principal of the Year by the Colorado Association of School Executives, recognizing his substantial contributions to the school's progress. La Plata County has launched the Wildfire Resource Center, an online hub providing residents with crucial information on wildfire mitigation efforts, funding opportunities, and techniques to protect residential properties. The upcoming Engage Durango forum on March 26th will feature updates on the Durango La Plata County Airport improvements, while families can enjoy the Easter Egg Scramble at Santa Rita Park on March 30th. By Hannah Robertson. This story is sponsored by Sky Ute Casino and Tafoya Barrett & Associates.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife received 3,526 reports of sightings and conflicts with bears in 2023, which is a 21 percent decrease from previous years. That’s largely due to healthy natural forage production last season. It’s still too early to tell how 2024 will shape up. The vast majority of calls involve bears trying to access human food sources, with trash remaining the number one source of conflicts. By Connor Shreve. This story is sponsored by Tafoya Barrett & Associates and Dunkin’ Donuts.

The Durango Arts Repertory Theatre presents Hand to God, an irreverent dark comedy written by Robert Askins and directed by Fort Lewis College Theatre Professor Michael McKelvey. Hand to God runs from March 15th through March 31st at the Durango Arts Center. This play carries a parental advisory for its adult language and content and is not suitable for all audiences. Tickets can be purchased online or at the Durango Arts Center box office. By Jessica McCallum. This story is sponsored by Kroegers Ace Hardware and Dunkin' Donuts.

Durango is abuzz with sustainability initiatives and community development. Durango Green Drinks offers monthly gatherings for networking and learning about local sustainability efforts, hosting nearly 30 organizations throughout the year. La Plata Open Space Conservancy received accreditation, joining a nationwide network focused on land conservation. The Durango City Council approved an agreement for the development of 30 affordable housing units at the former Animas High School site in Twin Buttes, while Durango Transit expands its on-demand microtransit service hours due to increasing ridership. By Hannah Robertson. This story is sponsored by Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers and The Payroll Department.

The Durango High School The Demons hockey team captured the 4A State Championship by beating Summit 4-2 in Denver on March 5th. The accomplishment came just two years after Durango moved from a club team to a sanctioned varsity team under the Colorado High School Activities Association regulations. The win marks a banner year for Durango Hockey, which celebrated major accomplishments across most of its age designations in 2023/24. By Connor Shreve. This story is sponsored by Payroll Department and Serious Texas B-B-Q.

Durango-based non-profit Wheelie Cool operates with one goal: get more kids on bikes as early as possible. In past years, founder Fynn Funke has built trails near local schools to accomplish that mission. In 2024, Funke’s non-profit will host a series of week-long bike rodeos at Durango elementary schools to teach young students how to ride. By Connor Shreve. This story is sponsored by Payroll Department and Freddie’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers.

The Colorado Department of Transportation has three upcoming projects occurring in La Plata County this coming summer. Projects range from chip seal operations on US Highway 160, safety improvements along Main Avenue including single replacement and traffic flow enhancements, and completing the US Highway 160 and 550 connection project. The connection project at Grand View will improve safety and accessibility and will include wildlife underpasses and a planned extension to a four-lane highway. Julie Constan from the Colorado Department of Transportation provides insights into these crucial infrastructure developments, underlining safety precautions for travelers navigating construction zones. By Sadie Smith. This story is sponsored by Alpine Bank.