Southwest Life
Trail closures give wildlife a critical winter refuge
Mule deer struggle the most with rising pressure from recreation
Southwest Lifestyle
Community
Making requests to each other as a way to build connections
“So, does this mean we’re not exchanging presents?” Rose, age 14, asked, eyebrows narrowing into an adolescent cross-examination. Col, my 16-year-old, was unreadable behind ever-affixed earbuds pumping hiphop into his…
Community
Thank you to Animas Orthopedic Associates
I have had two total knee replacements since April. The expertise provided by Dr. Brinceton Phipps and Casey Gardner at Animas Orthopedic Associates was nothing short of remarkable. My surgeries…
Health
Can you safely enjoy the holidays? Experts offer COVID tips
People including some wearing face masks to protect against the spread of the coronavirus visit the Christmas Village in Philadelphia, Wednesday, Dec. 15, 2021. The delta and omicron variants of…
Health
U.S. regulators lift in-person restrictions on abortion pill
Bottles of abortion pills at a clinic in Des Moines, Iowa. The Food and Drug Administration on Thursday, Dec. 16, 2021, loosened some restrictions on the pill mifepristone, allowing it…
And the West is History
And the West is History: Corner of Main and Seventh – 1895
This is a well-known picture of downtown taken 15 years after Durango’s founding. The open lot was a public corral and also served as a campsite for visiting Native Americans.…
Southwest Life
States volunteer to take more cuts in Colorado River water
A buoy rests on the ground at a closed boat ramp on Lake Mead at the Lake Mead National Recreation Area near Boulder City, Nev., on Aug. 13. To help…
Travel
From grime to crumbling masonry, national parks get a makeover
Visitors look down on the New River Gorge from a national park overlook Oct. 27 in Grandview, W.Va. Under legislation passed by Congress in 2020, some of America’s most spectacular…
Regional News
Utah’s Arches to require timed tickets as visitation swells
Delicate Arch is seen at Arches National Park near Moab, Utah. Arches will use a time-entry reservation system next year over six months to assess if it helps alleviate the…
Community
Here to Help Day serves Durango Food Bank
Credit Union of Colorado recently held its annual Here to Help Day. For the event, volunteers offered their time to support nearly 20 nonprofit organizations throughout the state. The credit…
Community
Library to host kids’ exhibition
Pine River Library will host an exhibition designed to teach children ages 7 to 11 about money, thanks to a grant from the American Library Association and the FINRA Investor…
Community
Library announces board vacancy
Beginning Feb. 1, Pine River Library will have an opening on its board of trustees. The position is for a full three-year term of office, ending Jan. 31, 2025. Candidates…
Community
Southern Ute Boys & Girls Club announces toy drive
The Southern Ute Indian Tribe Boys & Girls Club, police department and Los Pinos Fire District are hosting a toy drive, now through Dec. 21. New unwrapped toys under $10…
Community
Chamber announces toy drive
The Durango Chamber of Commerce is partnering with La Plata County Boys & Girls Club to host a toy drive for ages 8 to 18, now through Dec. 17. Drop…
Community
Humane Society decorates for donations
La Plata County Humane Society decorated Pet Haus, Groom Room, Creature Comforts and its shelter with ornaments detailing a homeless pet’s Christmas wish list. (Courtesy of La Plata County Humane…
Community
Durango Wine Experience set to return
The Durango Wine Experience will return after its two-year pandemic hiatus. The weekendlong event will be held April 29 through May 1, 2022. The event features a Friday night walk-about…
Community
Holiday mutual aid drive to be held
A holiday mutual aid drive will take place, benefiting Toyei Industries and the Missionaries of Charity of Gallup, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 14 and from 9 a.m.…
And the West is History
And the West is History: Street Car Downtown – Ca. 1900
In 1892, the Durango Railway and Realty Co. was formed to operate an electrified “street and suburban railway in the city of Durango.” The power company charged the streetcar company…
Health
Pandemic mystery: Scientists focus on COVID’s animal origins
Members of a World Health Organization team are seen through a window wearing protective gear during a field visit to the Hubei Animal Disease Control and Prevention Center for another…
Health
How can I protect myself from the new omicron variant?
(Peter Hamlin/Associated Press illustration)AP Illustration/Peter Hamlin How can I protect myself from the new omicron variant? The same way you guard against COVID-19 caused by any other variant: Get vaccinated…
Travel
Iconic sheer trail at Zion National Park to require permits
Hikers walk down the Angels Landing trail in Zion National Park, in Utah. Zion National Park will soon require reservations to hike the famous southern Utah trail perched on the…
Community
Fulfilling our mission with educators as our guide
The Southwest Colorado Education Collaborative’s mission is to strengthen diverse communities by providing pathways in career readiness and higher education for students to build 21st century skills and economically viable…
And the West is History
And the West is History: D&RGW Train Wreck – 1958
On Sept. 27, 1958, a double-header train was proceeding slowly east at only 15 miles per hour through the Grandview area very close to where Mercy Regional Medical Center is…
Southwest Life
As visitor pressure rises, public land managers face new challenges
Education, partnerships are vital tools for handling recreation growth in Southwest Colorado
Community
SJBPH increases access to antibody treatments
San Juan Basin Public Health announced that Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s mobile unit administering monoclonal antibody treatments for COVID-19 became available in La Plata County on Monday.…
Travel
Will flight restrictions help as new virus variant emerges?
People line up to get on the Air France flight to Paris at OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, South Africa, Friday Nov. 26, 2021. A slew of nations moved…
Health
What we know and don’t know about omicron variant
Travelers wearing protective face masks arrive at Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv, Israel, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021. Israel on Sunday approved barring entry to foreign nationals and the use…
And the West is History
And the West is History: D&SNG Roundhouse Fire Aftermath – 1989
On Feb. 10 1989, the 108-year-old Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad roundhouse burned to the ground with six operable steam locomotives inside. The engines were salvageable and with many…
Community
Festival of Trees returns to Durango
The 18th annual Festival of Trees, presented by Community Connections, will take place 12-5 p.m. Friday to Sunday, Dec. 3-5, at the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad Grange Hall.…
Community
Shop with a Cop seeking donations
The Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 8 is seeking donations for its Shop with a Cop event. For the event, law enforcement officers paired with La Plata and Archuleta county…