Unforgettable images from La Plata County
A structure fire on Lightner Creek Road west of Durango on June 28 quickly spread into the surrounding forest, creating the Lightner Creek Fire. The fire eventually burned 412 acres and forced the evacuation of 170 homes for about four days.
Helen Ruth Aspaas’ family ranch south of Hesperus was put on the La Plata County Historical Register.
Jordon Dence, 12, displays his patriotism during the Durango Fourth of July Parade.
Hot air balloons in the Animas Valley Balloon Rally float south down the valley in October.
A bear climbed a tree near the entrance of Park Elementary School on East Sixth Avenue on an August morning.
Alexander Hise of Durango leaps to break up a pass against Delta.
Rose Sabido, a Mexican national, was told in May that her application for a one-year stay of removal was denied by Immigration and Customs Enforcement. She was ordered to leave the country or face deportation. She has since sought sanctuary at the United Methodist Church in Mancos.
Florida Mesa Elementary School student Canaan Burgess, 7, uses solar-viewing glasses to get a look at the solar eclipse Aug. 21.
Dr. Lee Ann Hoven, optometrist at Advanced Eye Care, performs an eye exam on Victoria (Tori) Cox, 6.
Deep snow surrounds a man waiting for the trolley on Main Avenue on a January morning.
Howard Grotts, back, and Sepp Kuss climb Coal Bank Pass during the 2017 Iron Horse Bicycle Classic road race.
Zantha Kugle, 3, with her goat, Minnie, shows her father the ribbon she won at the La Plata County Fair. Zantha is the daughter of Troy and Jessie Kugle.
Ineke Rhebergen of Canada competes in the ice climbing world cup championship at Ska Brewing World Headquarters.
Jerry McBride/Durango Herald<br>A structure fire on Lightner Creek Road west of Durango on June 28 quickly spread into the surrounding forest, creating the Lightner Creek Fire. The fire eventually burned 412 acres and forced the evacuation of 170 homes for about four days.
Robert Scott concentrates on the inner workings of a wristwatch during a repair.
Snow fell at the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad depot as a steam engine was repositioned for Polar Express runs later in the day.
The thrill of discovery was found by area elementary school students during the Colorado Discovery Festival at the Fort Lewis College Student Life Center. The event presented by Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwest Colorado and the Powerhouse Science Center provided numerous hands on experiences focused on acquainting local students with the STEM professions. STEM is an acronym for Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics. From left, Park Elementary School third-grade students Hannah Johnston, Kyanya-Lopez Arizmendi, Cloe Aitken and Marlene Martinez explore a soap film display.
Durango Fire Protection District firefighters spray hot spots at the Tercero Townhouse in June. Kevin Abeyta, a 24-year-old Durango native and restaurateur, died in the fire.
