Environment - The Durango Herald

Hazy skies in Four Corners caused by out-of-state fires

Smoke drifting in from wildfires in Arizona, Utah

DATE: Jun 14, 2021 | CATEGORY: Local News

With drought in the forecast, Bayfield considers a plan for low-water years

Road map will help town officials manage dry years through conservation measures

DATE: Jun 9, 2021 | CATEGORY: Local News

U.S. senator discusses environment in virtual town hall

Residents ask about climate change, clean energy jobs and public lands

DATE: Jun 3, 2021 | CATEGORY: Local News

La Plata County adds teeth to fire restrictions ahead of summer

Changes include penalties and flexibility for implementing burn bans

DATE: May 28, 2021 | CATEGORY: Local News

Ice Lakes Trail near Silverton closed for summer

Popular route faces impacts from 2020 fire

DATE: May 27, 2021 | CATEGORY: Local News

Honeybees, beekeepers battle deadly parasite in Southwest Colorado

Parasitic mite can kill entire hives, bring economic damage

DATE: May 21, 2021 | CATEGORY: Local News

La Plata County approves new water service for Gem Village

La Plata Archuleta Water District could help address water quality issues

DATE: May 18, 2021 | CATEGORY: Local News

Hickenlooper floats Animas River in Durango to mark Public Lands Day

Conservationists, business leaders list key concerns and priorities

DATE: May 15, 2021 | CATEGORY: Local News

Will a new methane rule have any impact on Four Corners ‘hot spot’?

U.S. Senate votes to reinstate EPA safeguards on potent emissions

DATE: May 7, 2021 | CATEGORY: Local News

Environment Department proposes rule to reduce emissions

Rule would apply to San Juan County as a result high number of ozone days

DATE: May 6, 2021 | CATEGORY: New Mexico

Dusty snow tied to shorter spring runoff in Southwest Colorado

Five layers have already coated this year’s snowpack, increasing solar radiation

DATE: Apr 16, 2021 | CATEGORY: Local News

Mountain Studies Institute to hold online youth summit about environmental issues

Students to examine water quality, climate change, forest health

DATE: Apr 11, 2021 | CATEGORY: Local News

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

Hazy skies in Four Corners caused by out-of-state fires

With drought in the forecast, Bayfield considers a plan for low-water years

U.S. senator discusses environment in virtual town hall

La Plata County adds teeth to fire restrictions ahead of summer

Ice Lakes Trail near Silverton closed for summer

Honeybees, beekeepers battle deadly parasite in Southwest Colorado

La Plata County approves new water service for Gem Village

Hickenlooper floats Animas River in Durango to mark Public Lands Day

Will a new methane rule have any impact on Four Corners ‘hot spot’?

Environment Department proposes rule to reduce emissions

Dusty snow tied to shorter spring runoff in Southwest Colorado

Mountain Studies Institute to hold online youth summit about environmental issues

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