Letters to the Editor - The Durango Herald

RV park: ‘Just now before public’

The proposed 306 RV Park in Animas Valley is a very big deal. This project will have an impact on the character and peaceful environment of the valley for generations. So, who is looking out...

DATE: Feb 5, 2023 | CATEGORY: Opinion

Luxury RV park: ‘Halt application’

The development proposal Roberts Resorts RV Park (PL 20222059) before the La Plata County Planning Commission would place 257 luxury RVs, plus 49 luxury cottages alongside the Animas River a...

DATE: Feb 3, 2023 | CATEGORY: Letters to the Editor

‘Leftist media changing language we speak’

“Newspeak” in the novel “1984” meant ambiguous, euphemistic language used chiefly in political propaganda. The leftist media in the West is attempting to do its part in helping our American ...

DATE: Feb 3, 2023 | CATEGORY: Opinion

‘Shady billing practices’ at Centura-Mercy

In their never ending search for revenues, Centura-Mercy Hospital providers now resort to shady billing practices. They disregard Medicare claims that disallow their bills and specify that p...

DATE: Feb 2, 2023 | CATEGORY: Opinion

‘Scrub hats off’ for new nursing program

Wowsers! I’m doing back flips, jumping up and down nonstop after hearing the announcement made by President Tom Stritikus that Fort Lewis College will soon offer a program for Bachelor of Sc...

DATE: Feb 2, 2023 | CATEGORY: Opinion

‘Underserved’ with no tubal ligation

I recently read in The Colorado Sun that Centura-Mercy Hospital will stop providing tubal ligation services to women who, after a Caesarean section, decide they do not want more children. Se...

DATE: Feb 2, 2023 | CATEGORY: Opinion

U.S. House like song ‘Anything Goes’

I found myself humming the old Cole porter song “Anything Goes” this week, while reading about committee assignments exacted from House Speaker Kevin McCarthy in exchange for his gavel. In a...

DATE: Jan 29, 2023 | CATEGORY: Opinion

‘Reconsider hero worship of Boebert’

We have serious issues to address in our country, none which will present a simple inexpensive quick solution. U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert has continued her barely successful political strategy...

DATE: Jan 28, 2023 | CATEGORY: Opinion

Would RV park keep boat-launch access?

Concerning the planned “luxury RV park“ at Trimble Lane – has the county made a condition of the development that the owner (Scott Roberts) grant a permanent public easement to the boat laun...

DATE: Jan 27, 2023 | CATEGORY: Opinion

Class for students to be good renters?

I am impressed with Carter Roger’s plan to run for Durango’s City Council. I like his intention to work “from the bottom up” and – hoping if he wins – that he would consider starting a trai...

DATE: Jan 27, 2023 | CATEGORY: Opinion

Boebert ‘has no plan, no shame’

I am writing in response to a letter in the Jan 18 edition of The Journal. Like other rational Republicans, I am disgusted and shamed by the behavior of my Congresswoman Lauren Boebert. She ...

DATE: Jan 25, 2023 | CATEGORY: Opinion

Best thing about Durango? The people

So much snow! Well, at least we aren’t on fire and thank God for that. The news story about snow removal woes was right on target. I think I was one of the first responders to a social media...

DATE: Jan 25, 2023 | CATEGORY: Opinion

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

RV park: ‘Just now before public’

Luxury RV park: ‘Halt application’

‘Leftist media changing language we speak’

‘Shady billing practices’ at Centura-Mercy

‘Scrub hats off’ for new nursing program

‘Underserved’ with no tubal ligation

U.S. House like song ‘Anything Goes’

‘Reconsider hero worship of Boebert’

Would RV park keep boat-launch access?

Class for students to be good renters?

Boebert ‘has no plan, no shame’

Best thing about Durango? The people

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