Regional News – The Durango Herald

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Tina Peters files federal lawsuit to block criminal investigations, prosecutions against her

Peters, a Republican who ran unsuccessfully for Colorado secretary of state last year, was indicted on 10 counts by a Mesa County grand jury. Her trial begins Feb. 7.

DATE: Nov 16, 2023 | CATEGORY: Regional News

A small hydroelectric plant with big water rights is the center of a proposal to keep Colorado River water in the state

A coalition of anglers, growers and water districts in the region say preserving the water right would aid them long into the future, but a major state water agency has big questions

DATE: Nov 16, 2023 | CATEGORY: Regional News

Support for Proposition HH began eroding the moment the Colorado property tax relief plan was introduced

That weak foundation was reflected in how voters rejected Proposition HH, a 10-year property tax relief and state spending overhaul, by an 18 percentage-point margin last week

DATE: Nov 16, 2023 | CATEGORY: Regional News

The Blotter, Nov. 14-15

Durango Police Department Wednesday 2:22 a.m. A woman found near a side entrance to the Strater Hotel, 699 Main Ave., was arrested for trespassing. 12:22 a.m. A person at Schneider Park, 950...

DATE: Nov 15, 2023 | CATEGORY: Regional News

Colorado has a housing crisis. Could 3D-printed homes be a solution?

A set of nozzles squirt wet cement, swinging back and forth in a long line, squeezing out layer after layer. The result, at first, might look like some sort of cake – like icing at a bakery....

DATE: Nov 15, 2023 | CATEGORY: Regional News

Why a judge decided to keep Colorado’s three-day gun law in effect as lawsuit continues

People buying guns in Colorado will have to continue waiting three extra days to take possession of their firearms, a judge ruled on Monday. The three-day waiting period is required by a new...

DATE: Nov 15, 2023 | CATEGORY: Regional News

Nation and region’s climate worsening, but can still be improved, says new federal assessment

Dangerously hot and dry conditions in Colorado and other Southwestern states fueled by rising global temperatures are endangering the health of residents, reducing snowpack and water supplie...

DATE: Nov 15, 2023 | CATEGORY: Regional News

Headed into her last session, Barbara McLachlan has lots to do

The four-term state representative says she will retire from public life

DATE: Nov 15, 2023 | CATEGORY: Regional News

The Blotter, Nov. 9-14

Tuesday 3:15 a.m. A person found behind the Strater Hotel, 699 Main Ave., was arrested for trespassing. Monday 7:46 p.m. A woman who allegedly refused the leave the Strater Hotel, 699 Main A...

DATE: Nov 14, 2023 | CATEGORY: Regional News

Colorado is ready to help pay for geothermal heating and cooling systems

Colorado opened applications Tuesday for a new grant program to kick-start an industry that harvests renewable energy hiding below the Earth's surface. A state law signed in 2022 set aside $...

DATE: Nov 14, 2023 | CATEGORY: Regional News

Judge denies effort to block enforcement of Colorado’s 3-day wait on gun purchases

The law was challenged by Rocky Mountain Gun Owners, a hard-line gun rights group in the state

DATE: Nov 14, 2023 | CATEGORY: Regional News

What the failure of Proposition HH means for your property taxes and TABOR refunds

Coloradans’ property taxes will rise by an average of 40% without legislative or local government intervention. People who make less than $99,000 will get smaller taxpayer refunds than they would have had Proposition HH passed

DATE: Nov 13, 2023 | CATEGORY: Regional News

Hundreds attend Candlelight vigil for Cortez police Sgt. Michael Moran

Skyhawks score 41 points off turnovers Monday at Whalen Gymnasium

Snowstorm moves through the areaThe season’s first big snowstorm causes problems for drivers and makes for a winter wonderland

The season’s first big snowstorm causes problems for drivers and makes for a winter wonderland

Photos: Singing with SantaSanta Claus makes his first appearance in Durango

Santa Claus makes his first appearance in Durango

Snow descends on DurangoForecasters say storm could dump 6 inches in Durango area

A fall storm that moved into Southwest Colorado Friday morning was expected to dump 6 inches of snow in the Durango area – more than weather forecasters had initially predicted.Snow started falling about 9:15 a.m. Friday and intensified shortly before 11:30 a.m., blanketing parks, vehicles and the hilltops overlooking the city. Roads became slick about 2:30 p.m. As of 4 p.m., the Durango Police Department had responded to six crashes, in addition to a few stranded motorists.U.S. Highway 160 at County Road 44 near Mancos Hill was closed from around 4 p.m. to just after 6 p.m. because a vehicle carrying an “oversized load” had spun out and blocked both the eastbound and westbound lanes, according to Colorado Department of Transportation spokeswoman Lisa Schwantes.“Right now our officers are able to keep up with the crashes that are coming in,” said Cmdr. Nick Stasi, with the Durango Police Department. “As always with winter weather, we remind drivers to slow down and give extra space for the cars in front.”Snow started accumulating very fast as the day went on, making it “challenging for plow operators to keep up,” according to CDOT.

Southwest Colorado’s five major mountain passes were icy and snowpacked Friday afternoon. But all five remained open as of 4:15 p.m.The Pacific storm favored the southern and central Colorado mountains, said Dave Byers, meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Grand Junction.“Durango looks like a 70% chance of getting 6 inches or more of snow by the end of tonight (Friday),” Byers said.He expected a half inch to three-quarters of an inch of moisture from the storm, which is up from the one-tenth to two-tenths of an inch that was predicted earlier this week. Meanwhile, the mountains could receive 1 to 2 feet of snow from the storm, he said.“In the last few days, it has really picked up,” Byers said. “The southern mountains are catching the brunt of it.”The snowy weather didn’t stop Liz Ferrill and her family from stopping by Cream Bean Berry for a Unicorn Sundae. “We thought it might be a festive way to celebrate,” said Ferrill, who was visiting from Snowmass, where the first snow occurred in September.For others, the snow provided the impetus they needed to swap out tires or purchase new snow tires. Andre Payne, a sales person at J/P Tire in Durango, said the phone began ringing shortly after 9 a.m. with people wanting to switch to snow tires.“We’ve been pretty busy,” he said.

It is not unusual for drivers to wait until they see the first snow and then want to swap out tires. The tire shop began advising customers to switch to snow tires about three weeks ago. Some people take the advice, other choose to wait.“We can always tell people what to do, but if you're not ready for it then you have to suffer the consequences of waiting two hours or maybe getting in an accident,” Payne said.Byers said Friday’s storm was the result of a southwest flow pulling moisture from Southern California, Arizona and the Gulf of California.As the moisture-laden atmosphere hits the San Juan Mountains, it wrings out the moisture, he said.Temperatures are expected to cool off as the storm makes its way out of the region this weekend. The highs this weekend will be in the upper 30s, and the lows could dip into the single digits, he said.“There’s still a northerly flow that is pulling cold air down out of Canada,” he said.Byers characterized Friday’s storm as a “shoulder storm” between summer and winter, but he said it is a sure sign that a regular track is settling in for Southwest Colorado.“We’re expecting regular storms … from now on, more into that winter pattern,” Byers said.Residents can expect mostly clear conditions through Wednesday, with clouds moving in the following day ahead of another storm that looks “very similar” to Friday’s storm, Byers said.shane@durangoherald.com; mhollinshead@durangoherald.com

Forecasters say storm could dump 6 inches in Durango area

PHOTOS: Turkey Trot returns to DurangoNearly 600 competitors ran before they gobbled down their Thanksgiving feasts on Thursday

Nearly 600 competitors ran before they gobbled down their Thanksgiving feasts on Thursday

PHOTOS: Durango faces Lutheran in 3A state football quarterfinalsDemons fall to Lions, 39-30, on Saturday

Demons fall to Lions, 39-30, on Saturday

PHOTOS: Fort Lewis basketball teams host doubleheaderThe men’s team beat Western New Mexico 87-68, while the women’s team fell in the final minutes to Northern New Mexico, 67-62

The men’s team beat Western New Mexico 87-68, while the women’s team fell in the final minutes to Northern New Mexico, 67-62

Photos: Durango High School football faces Mead in 3A state playoffsThe Demons won Saturday’s playoff game, 31-27

The Demons won Saturday’s playoff game, 31-27

Photos: Veterans Day Parade

Honoring Veterans on Veterans Day

Honoring Veterans on Veterans Day

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