Judge - The Durango Herald

Chief Judge Jeffrey Wilson retires after 23 years on bench

He presided over several notable trials, is lauded for applying law evenly

DATE: Jan 11, 2026 | CATEGORY: Local News

Colorado governor appoints next La Plata County judge

Douglas Reynolds to be sworn in Jan. 16

DATE: Dec 22, 2025 | CATEGORY: Local News

Judge finalists selected for San Juan, La Plata counties

Gov. Jared Polis has until Dec. 17 to appoint positions

DATE: Dec 2, 2025 | CATEGORY: Local News

Three apply for San Juan County Court judgeship in Silverton

Public commenting period open through Friday

DATE: Nov 26, 2025 | CATEGORY: Local News

Polis appoints judges to 6th Judicial District, Archuleta County courts

Appointments create new vacancies in La Plata, San Juan county courts

DATE: Nov 3, 2025 | CATEGORY: Local News

Montezuma County judge could face removal over court hearing involving school superintendent

Complaint alleges Ian MacLaren scheduled proceeding to publicly criticize defendant

DATE: Sep 8, 2025 | CATEGORY: Local News

Polis appoints Archuleta County judge to 6th Judicial District Court

Justin Fay will take bench Oct. 1

DATE: Aug 21, 2025 | CATEGORY: Local News

Six apply for 6th Judicial District Court judgeship

Public comments accepted by email through Wednesday

DATE: Jul 24, 2025 | CATEGORY: Local News

Richard Schmittel sworn in as new La Plata County Court judge

New judge was appointed by Colorado Lt. Gov. and will serve the people

DATE: Jul 11, 2025 | CATEGORY: Local News

Former La Plata County prosecutor returns as judge

Fort Lewis graduate, now a Westminster attorney, appointed to bench

DATE: Jun 10, 2025 | CATEGORY: Local News

Seven apply for new judgeship in La Plata County

Public comments accepted by email through Monday

DATE: May 13, 2025 | CATEGORY: Local News

Western Slope judge warns ICE to stop civil immigration actions in courthouses

Workers say Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents have been a steady presence

DATE: Apr 16, 2025 | CATEGORY: Regional News

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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

Photos: Chapman Hill fires up the snow guns

Chief Judge Jeffrey Wilson retires after 23 years on bench

Colorado governor appoints next La Plata County judge

Judge finalists selected for San Juan, La Plata counties

Three apply for San Juan County Court judgeship in Silverton

Polis appoints judges to 6th Judicial District, Archuleta County courts

Montezuma County judge could face removal over court hearing involving school superintendent

Polis appoints Archuleta County judge to 6th Judicial District Court

Six apply for 6th Judicial District Court judgeship

Richard Schmittel sworn in as new La Plata County Court judge

Former La Plata County prosecutor returns as judge

Seven apply for new judgeship in La Plata County

Western Slope judge warns ICE to stop civil immigration actions in courthouses

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