50 years ago: The Department of Interior and the State Water Pollution Control Commission announced there would be an open hearing on the topic of river and stream pollution after decades of public demand for protection of the Animas River. Silverton mine waste and contamination from daily city activities in Durango were polluting local rivers and streams to new extremes, while officials continued to ignore public outcry for clean water. Locals were hopeful for the possibility of the issue finally getting the attention it more than deserved.
25 years ago: A group formed to protest rezoning the Durango Fairgrounds, and were urging the community to sign their petition. If they gathered enough signatures, the decision to sell the fairgrounds would be added to a special election ballot and put to a vote. Protesters came together to prevent more Durango land being sold to wealthy commercial developers.
Most items in this column are taken from Herald archives, Center of Southwest Studies and Animas Museum. Their accuracy may not be verified.
