From our Congressman – The Durango Herald

Rosenberg: Did Al Franken make a bad decision, or is he a creep? Look for the pattern.

Our recent and overdue reckoning with sexual harassment and sexual assault have prompted some concerns. Will a wave of testimony lead to a prudish overcorrection? Will simple misunderstandin...

DATE: Nov 21, 2017 | CATEGORY: From our Congressman

Realini: National monuments inspire entrepreneurs

Improving the quality of life for people across the globe has been a driving force in my life and career. In my work, I’ve used my experience in technology to help provide people in remote r...

DATE: Nov 21, 2017 | CATEGORY: From our Congressman

Carrera: Fair District Colorado’s proposals anything but

Redrawing political boundaries every 10 years to make sure everyone is fairly represented is no easy task. In 2011, as the lone member on the Colorado Reapportionment Commission ...

DATE: Nov 18, 2017 | CATEGORY: From our Congressman

Priebe: The foundation of a family’s future – affordable maternity care and birth control

Affordable maternity care and birth control benefits not only women, but also families and our entire community. Considering these services essential to our families and community turns the ...

DATE: Nov 18, 2017 | CATEGORY: From our Congressman

Francis: Big oil and gas behind county commissioner attacks

I read with interest Matt Dempsey’s Dempsey, the opinion editor of Western Energy Alliance’s “Western Wire,” condemns Lachelt’s dual role as public official and executive director of the n...

DATE: Nov 17, 2017 | CATEGORY: From our Congressman

Dempsey: Transparency welcome, but questions remain

It’s not often that elected officials come forward and publicly admit when they are wrong, so give La Plata County Commissioner Gwen Lachelt kudos for acknowledging in a Lachelt grudgingly...

DATE: Nov 16, 2017 | CATEGORY: From our Congressman

Editorial cartoon

DATE: Nov 15, 2017 | CATEGORY: From our Congressman

Rosenberg: Defending sexual assault is never worth it, really

As president, John F. Kennedy made sexual advances toward a 19-year-old White House intern named Mimi Beardsley. He pressured her to provide oral sex to other men. Whatever else ...

DATE: Nov 15, 2017 | CATEGORY: From our Congressman

Egan: The vacuity of the Vice President

With Donald Trump in Asia plugging his golf resort and telling his hosts “I never knew we had so many countries,” the leaderless United States has had a week to try out President Mike Pence....

DATE: Nov 14, 2017 | CATEGORY: From our Congressman

Dionne: Trump’s real constituency - the super rich

WASHINGTON – The focus on President Trump’s political strength among white working-class voters distracts from a truth that may be more important: His rise depended on support from rich cons...

DATE: Nov 14, 2017 | CATEGORY: From our Congressman

Brooks: How to engage a fanatic

I’ve had a series of experiences recently that leave the impression that everybody on earth is having the same conversation: How do you engage with fanatics? First, I was at a Was...

DATE: Nov 11, 2017 | CATEGORY: From our Congressman

Barkey: Colorado’s Public Employees Retirement Association is going broke

Colorado’s Public Employees’ Retirement Association (PERA) system is going broke. Colorado’s teachers, firefighters, and state troopers are among PERA’s 560,000 members who are e...

DATE: Nov 11, 2017 | CATEGORY: From our Congressman

Multiple golfers started Saturday within several strokes of defending tournament champ Wil Collins, who pulled ahead by day’s end

An exciting end to the Ute Mountain RoundupOver half of Ute Mountain Roundup’s first-place performances came on night threeSaturday was a barnburner for the Ute Mountain Roundup.The last night of Cortez’s annual PRCA rodeo sold out every seat, and fans were not disappointed.The third night was the charm for the bull riders, who finally posted qualifying rides.Scotty Knapp took home the big check after an 83.5-point ride.However, Josh Frost, the four time Linderman Award winner and three time Reserve World Champion bull rider, walked away with the audience’s support, who loudly booed the judge’s 78.5 score for his ride on Powder River Rodeo’s “Rez Dawg.” Frost’s brother, Jate Frost, took second with an 80.5-point ride.

Keenan Hayes, who stunned the rodeo world last season by becoming the first-ever person to win Rookie of the Year and the World Championship in the same year, visited the UMR just long enough to win the bareback competition. Hayes tied the arena record with his 85-point ride.The ladies of the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association tallied first-place performances in barrel racing and breakaway roping posted on night three. Maddy Deerman of Hope, New Mexico, won the breakaway roping title with a time of just 2.4 seconds, and Doskie Edwards swept to the top of the barrel racing event in 17.35 seconds.

Jake Hannum won the tie-down roping event with a time of 8.7 seconds. In a total of five out of eight events, the first-place performance happened on Saturday night, marking an exciting end to the three-day UMR.In all the excitement, the crowd also saw a few warmhearted moments.The UMR celebrated Military Appreciation night by recognizing HD Randolph, Jerry Huskey and Gerald Goodall for their service. The crowd also welcomed 82nd Airborne veteran and skydiver Mike Semanoff, who made his third and final descent into the arena carrying the American flag.Rodeo clown Matt Merritt was tasked with choosing a “fan of the night” for each night of the UMR.On Night 1, he chose a couple who had been married for 62 years. On Night 2, it was a Vietnam veteran in the front row. On Night 3, it was a pair of 91-year-old twins who had attended every UMR Rodeo since 1953.Merritt had the audience believe that the award and accompanying gift card is given to the loudest, rowdiest person in the arena. However, being unable to give the award to himself, Merritt seemingly chose the winner based on merit.

Over half of Ute Mountain Roundup’s first-place performances came on night three

Photos: It’s rodeo timeUte Mountain Roundup Rodeo electrifies the crowd on Saturday

Ute Mountain Roundup Rodeo electrifies the crowd on Saturday

Moore, a Lewis, Colorado native and 2015 champion, took center stage in the Ute Mountain Roundup Rodeo's barrel racing event on Friday

Riders hail from Northwest New Mexico, Northeast Arizona and Southwest Colorado

Photos: A day for boatersAnimas River Days boaters compete on Saturday at Durango Whitewater Park

Animas River Days boaters compete on Saturday at Durango Whitewater Park

Artists reveal ‘Droplets’ mural at Animas River DaysProject involving nine artists was a ‘massive undertaking’ to portray collective vision

The city of Durango and nine artists unveiled the “Droplets” mural on Saturday during Animas River Days at the Santa Rita Water Reclamation Facility.The reclamation center and Santa Rita Park were bustling with residents and visitors who showed up for a day of water sports in 82-degree weather.The mural features a series of water droplets containing depictions of wildlife along the Animas River, and the personalities or styles of each artist who worked on them.

Silas Armstrong, an artist who worked on the piece, said the project was a massive undertaking for a group of artists who would presumably find trouble fitting all of their unique ideas into one piece.But they pulled it off.“They initially thought there’s gonna be way too many cooks in the kitchen, but we managed to make it work,” he said.The nine artists are: Armstrong, Cindy Atchison, Chelsie Begoody, Laurie Cullum, Mariah Kaminsky, Parker Ledford, Jordanne Pelkey, Maddie Sanders and Hannah Wilson.“Droplets” uses a color spectrum representing the seasons. The largest droplets break up the major scenes of the Animas River depicted in winter through autumn.“I chose to depict mine in yellow because it just happened to fall in the summer location, but also to represent the 2015 (Gold King Mine waste water spill) disaster that tainted the river and turned it yellow,” he said.

He said a shining sun portrayed over the entire scene is a symbol of hope. The mural also includes depictions of how ecological damage effects the community and the ecosystem downriver from Durango.Armstrong said locals might recognize his art behind Jean Pierre Bakery, Cafe and Wine Bar, a mural of Bart Simpson from “The Simpsons.”He also had a mural at The Hive, a youth community hub, before it announced the closure of its 1150 Main Ave. location.“It’s been one of the best experiences of my life,” he said of the project. “Super-talented artists. Really just honored and flattered enough to work with some of the great artists that are here.”“Droplets” came together through a partnership between the artists, the city of Durango and The Walls Project, a nonprofit that uses art and creativity to drive positive change in communities.The art project came together right on schedule. Tom Donley, The Walls Project’s chief financial officer, said in March the public unveiling of the mural was slated to happen during Animas River Days.Tommy Crosby, economic opportunity manager for the city, said in March the mural was made possible because a separate landscaping project at the reclamation center was completed under budget by about $100,000. The mural’s price tag was about $45,000.Two art installations, a sculpture by Alex Bond called “Whispers in Water” and a kinetic piece depicting a kayaker riding waves by Jeff Wise, were also included in the mural project.cburney@durangoherald.com

Project involving nine artists was a ‘massive undertaking’ to portray collective vision

Photos: Riders compete in the IHBC mountain bike pro races

Photos: Riders battle it out in IHBC men’s professional road raceAnother successful Iron Horse Bicycle Classic road race held on Saturday

Another successful Iron Horse Bicycle Classic road race held on Saturday

Photos: Iron Horse Bicycle Classic women’s professional road raceSaturday’s women’s race for first place was a thriller, with Durango’s Lauren Aggeler earning a come-from-behind victory

Saturday’s women’s race for first place was a thriller, with Durango’s Lauren Aggeler earning a come-from-behind victory

Rosenberg: Did Al Franken make a bad decision, or is he a creep? Look for the pattern.

Realini: National monuments inspire entrepreneurs

Carrera: Fair District Colorado’s proposals anything but

Priebe: The foundation of a family’s future – affordable maternity care and birth control

Francis: Big oil and gas behind county commissioner attacks

Dempsey: Transparency welcome, but questions remain

Editorial cartoon

Rosenberg: Defending sexual assault is never worth it, really

Egan: The vacuity of the Vice President

Dionne: Trump’s real constituency - the super rich

Brooks: How to engage a fanatic

Barkey: Colorado’s Public Employees Retirement Association is going broke

Videos & Photos

Search Directory Plus

Most Popular

Most Recent

Ballantine Communications, Inc.

Contact Us

Find Us

Log In