Energy - The Durango Herald

Tri-State says no thanks to federal orders to keep Craig coal power plant open

The co-op and one of its partners formally object, saying being forced to keep Craig 1 running upsets the ability to deliver clean power from a new, nearby solar farm

DATE: Jan 30, 2026 | CATEGORY: Regional News

What to watch in 2026 for La Plata County

Elections, court trials, fights for social justice and ambitious redevelopments to shape the year

DATE: Jan 4, 2026 | CATEGORY: Local News

Trump administration orders a Colorado coal-fired power generator to stay open

FORT COLLINS – The Trump administration has told another coal-fired power facility to remain open, this time ordering the owners of a Colorado electricity generating unit to keep it running ...

DATE: Jan 1, 2026 | CATEGORY: Business

Residents say Durango must not renege on greenhouse gas goals

People demand action, accountability from city

DATE: Dec 27, 2025 | CATEGORY: Local News

Pushback by counties on solar projects is challenging climate goals, Colorado officials say

Cities, counties say report by the Colorado Energy Office was tailored to aid the governor in dictating solar siting rules, much as he has done around housing

DATE: Oct 26, 2025 | CATEGORY: Southwest Life

Sen. Hickenlooper rebukes anti-renewable energy policies at Durango press conference

Solar power stakeholders stick up for threatened federal funding programs

DATE: Aug 30, 2025 | CATEGORY: Local News

Move to redefine “harm” in Endangered Species Act may pose ecological risks

Only direct killing or collecting of species would still be outlawed under new definition

DATE: Apr 18, 2025 | CATEGORY: Southwest Life

LPEA’s independence comes into view

La Plata Electric Association is well on its way toward a new energy future that embraces the benefits of market competition. LPEA recently announced several key milestones as it lines up a ...

DATE: Apr 16, 2025 | CATEGORY: Thinking Green

Colorado is reviewing future energy plans

Every few years, Colorado utilities have to prepare a plan detailing their anticipated future electric generation sources. This Energy Resource Plan lays out a utility’s road map for how it ...

DATE: Mar 12, 2025 | CATEGORY: Thinking Green

Through clear skies, Four Corners energy transition underway

Shuttered San Juan Generating Station replaced by expansive solar projects

DATE: Mar 2, 2025 | CATEGORY: Local News

La Plata Electric Association will increase rates in 2025

Cooperative calling for a 7.7% uptick in upcoming year’s budget

DATE: Nov 26, 2024 | CATEGORY: Local News

Colorado Sen. Chris Hansen to lead La Plata Electric Association

Denver senator who just won reelection will likely resign by Jan. 9

DATE: Nov 12, 2024 | CATEGORY: Local News

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150-200 demonstrators made their way from DHS to Buckley Park

Colorado history gets weird, wild, wacky at Fashion Do’s and Don’tsAnnual Snowdown event has become so popular, auditions are now required

Cowboys. Fancy ladies. Gold miners. Even-toed ungulates that some in Durango might consider more like rats.Where can you find a runway show that takes you on a whirlwind tour through the weird, wacky and wildly exaggerated 150 years of Colorado history? Only at Durango’s annual Fashion Do’s and Don’ts, held Wednesday, where models and audience members wore costumes celebrating Colorado’s sesquicentennial – the theme of this year’s two-week Snowdown celebration.Standout acts included the Ghosts of Durango, which featured four of Durango’s most famous ghosts: a Rochester hotel ghost in a Victorian get-up of a more “modern” variation; the Strater Hotel’s head of housekeeping, also head of more discreet services; a young girl haunting El Rancho’s bathroom; and Sheriff Bob Thompson, killed in a 1906 gunfight. according to emcee Suzan Lane. A Another act was the Secret Circus Society, featuring Rubi Starr, Jeni Gross, Tabatha Joy Bettin, Adrienne Young and Ethan Deffenbaugh dressed as a car and the roadside pests better known as deer. Group members said the inspiration for the costume came from lived experiences driving Durango roads. The two-person Cantine Couture act starred Leslie Ponce and Tyler Frakes in an homage to the plentiful variety of Mexican restaurants found in any Colorado town. Ponce, dressed in comically large Mexican pointy cowboy boots, ambled down the runway as if taking a stroll under the hot, dusty, high-altitude sun, while Frakes flitted about the stage in a bright yellow salsa dress. Ponce said this year’s costume had been tough to decide, but the final decision was inspired by TikTok videos of Mexican cowboys in pointy boots. This was the duo’s third year strutting down the runway. Why they keep coming back for more, Frakes said laughing, was, “for the fame, the glory and the attention.”

Fashion Do’s and Don’ts has been one of the most highly anticipated Snowdown events since its inception in the 1990s. It has more than doubled in size over the past several decades. Last year, there were a record number of models, and in order to keep the event at a manageable size, this year’s fashion show was the first one to require the acts to audition. But many of the models were unfazed by the change. “It was actually easy,” said Jodi Zuber, one part of the two-person duo that made up the 1950s Texas Invader Ski Couple. Her partner-in-costume, Danny Jaques, said they had been doing this for several years, and it’s good with everything going on in the world to “get some levity and let your hair down.” The performers were not the only ones in costume. Audience members also dressed in a wide variety of unique takes on what makes Colorado, Colorado. JonBenet Ramsey made a miraculous appearance, being played by an 82-year-old woman, as did Casa Bonita, an ensemble that included a taco, sopaipilla and gorilla in chains – to name some of the characters. By the end of the show, people were in high spirits, as usual. “It was just delightful,” said a first-time audience member. If blessed with the chance to get the much coveted tickets – he said he would jump on it. jbowman@durangoherald.com

Annual Snowdown event has become so popular, auditions are now required

Photos: Snowdown 2026 Fashion Do’s and Don’ts

Photos: Durango High School basketball teams lose to Montrose High School

Photos: Local girls high school wrestling at La Plata TriDurango girls wrestling went 2-0 to win Tri on Thursday night at Bayfield

Durango girls wrestling went 2-0 to win Tri on Thursday night at Bayfield

Photos: Fort Lewis College women’s and men’s basketball take on Westminster UniversityBoth Skyhawks teams were victorious on Saturday afternoon

Both Skyhawks teams were victorious on Saturday afternoon

Photos: An afternoon in 2004 with the late Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell as he works on Capitol HillDurango Herald Photo Editor Jerry McBride had the chance to spend an afternoon with the late Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell in 2004, photographing him during meetings and around the Capitol.

Durango Herald Photo Editor Jerry McBride had the chance to spend an afternoon with the late Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell in 2004, photographing him during meetings and around the Capitol.

Photos and video: ICE protests return to DurangoAbout a dozen protesters tried to block federal agents from leaving with a detainee on Thursday

About a dozen protesters tried to block federal agents from leaving with a detainee on Thursday

The Durango Herald’s year in photos 2025

Tri-State says no thanks to federal orders to keep Craig coal power plant open

What to watch in 2026 for La Plata County

Trump administration orders a Colorado coal-fired power generator to stay open

Residents say Durango must not renege on greenhouse gas goals

Pushback by counties on solar projects is challenging climate goals, Colorado officials say

Sen. Hickenlooper rebukes anti-renewable energy policies at Durango press conference

Move to redefine “harm” in Endangered Species Act may pose ecological risks

LPEA’s independence comes into view

Colorado is reviewing future energy plans

Through clear skies, Four Corners energy transition underway

La Plata Electric Association will increase rates in 2025

Colorado Sen. Chris Hansen to lead La Plata Electric Association

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