Environmental issue – The Durango Herald

Climate change taking toll on mountain towns

Fort Lewis College professor says certain steps can make a difference regionally

DATE: Nov 13, 2019 | CATEGORY: Local News

Letters sent to Durango residents warning of potential radioactive waste

State health department to hold public meeting next week

DATE: Nov 7, 2019 | CATEGORY: Local News

Proposed uranium dump site near Bondad faces stiff opposition

Planning Commission denies project; decision may be appealed

DATE: Oct 24, 2019 | CATEGORY: Local News

Water samples show no impact from Silver Wing Mine spill

EPA says it is unclear what caused temporary uptick in discharges

DATE: Oct 21, 2019 | CATEGORY: Local News

Life of King II coal mine extended by 20 years

Company says decision will preserve 100 jobs in La Plata County

DATE: Oct 17, 2019 | CATEGORY: Local News

Durango Diaries: Learn how to support the environment

Storyteller series to feature four local environmental advocates

DATE: Oct 16, 2019 | CATEGORY: Local News

Dirt bike route proposed in ‘one of the last untouched’ places in Silverton

Some residents fear ‘powerful’ lobbying groups will influence BLM

DATE: Oct 9, 2019 | CATEGORY: Local News

Bears packing on the pounds before hibernation

Activity picking up in and around Durango

DATE: Oct 8, 2019 | CATEGORY: Local News

Year of renewal: Hermosa Creek watershed shows signs of recovery after 416 Fire

Forest health, water quality and recreation on the mend

DATE: Oct 3, 2019 | CATEGORY: Southwest Life

Wetlands north of Durango approved for expansion

Project expected to improve wildlife habitat, water quality

DATE: Oct 1, 2019 | CATEGORY: Local News

Colorado company faces fines for construction site violations

Work site had more than a dozen stormwater issues

DATE: Sep 29, 2019 | CATEGORY: Local News

Colorado company faces fines for construction site violations

Work site had more than a dozen stormwater issues

DATE: Sep 27, 2019 | CATEGORY: Pine River Times news

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

Photos: 2024 Iron Horse Bicycle Classic McDonalds Citizen TourMultiple area cyclists hit the highway for the annual event on Saturday

Multiple area cyclists hit the highway for the annual event on Saturday

Climate change taking toll on mountain towns

Letters sent to Durango residents warning of potential radioactive waste

Proposed uranium dump site near Bondad faces stiff opposition

Water samples show no impact from Silver Wing Mine spill

Life of King II coal mine extended by 20 years

Durango Diaries: Learn how to support the environment

Dirt bike route proposed in ‘one of the last untouched’ places in Silverton

Bears packing on the pounds before hibernation

Year of renewal: Hermosa Creek watershed shows signs of recovery after 416 Fire

Wetlands north of Durango approved for expansion

Colorado company faces fines for construction site violations

Colorado company faces fines for construction site violations

Videos & Photos

Search Directory Plus

Most Popular

Most Recent

Ballantine Communications, Inc.

Contact Us

Find Us

Log In

Videos & Photos

Search Directory Plus

Most Popular

Most Recent

Ballantine Communications, Inc.

Contact Us

Find Us

Subscribe

Newsletter Signup