Tourism / Recreation – The Durango Herald

Santa Rita Visitor Center may become self-serve

Sewage treatment construction will guide decision to staff center

DATE: Nov 15, 2016 | CATEGORY: Business

Durango’s big on charm

Being on top-10 lists is nothing new for Durango. Best true West town, best recreational town, best beer town, best mountain biking town – if there’s a category that applies to us, it’s like...

DATE: Oct 31, 2016 | CATEGORY: Talk about Town

Train ridership up 4 percent this year

Marketing, word-of-mouth and positive tourism drive numbers

DATE: Oct 27, 2016 | CATEGORY: Local News

Animas Valley Balloon Rally launches this weekend

Hot-air balloons to fill the skies starting Friday

DATE: Oct 11, 2016 | CATEGORY: Local News

Tourism boosts La Plata County economy in July

Energy decline still a drag on coffers

DATE: Oct 9, 2016 | CATEGORY: Local News

5 scenic spots to soak in fall’s colors

San Juan Mountains Association suggests some drives and hikes

DATE: Sep 12, 2016 | CATEGORY: Local News

Settlement will allow city of Durango to spruce up Memorial Park

Contractor did not properly seed turf

DATE: Aug 2, 2016 | CATEGORY: Local News

Adventures for Hopi connects Native Americans to outdoor recreation

Marshall Masayesva is lying on his side in a dandelion-sprinkled lawn, clutching his stomach and groaning as if someone’s sticking a knife into it. A clean-cut, athletic 28-year-old who rece...

DATE: Jul 20, 2016 | CATEGORY: Southwest Life

Marijuana has less impact than thought on tourism

New Colorado survey walks back earlier findings that revealed huge sway

DATE: Jul 20, 2016 | CATEGORY: Local News

Scenic highways help Colorado make Top 10 list

Colorado prides itself on being a great destination for visitors year-round. A The study evaluated the 50 states based on driving and lodging costs, road conditions and safety, and fun and...

DATE: Jun 20, 2016 | CATEGORY: Local News

Photos: Santa Rita Park playground reopens

DATE: Jun 14, 2016 | CATEGORY: Local News

Santa Rita playground opens Tuesday

Design inspired by Durango High School students

DATE: Jun 12, 2016 | CATEGORY: Local News

Wil Collins shot 6-under-par on Sunday, 18-under-par overall, to win the tournament at Hillcrest Golf Club

Photos: 2024 Burro Fest puts local arts, music and food on displayOn Saturday, more than 1,000 people head to Mancos for burrosFor the town of Mancos and its businesses, it’s the biggest day of the year, said Stephanie Hallum, event coordinator for Mancos Creative District, in an interview with The Journal.This year’s Burro Fest featured 10 animal artists, a Makers Market with 20 additional local artists and makers, live bands, a kids area, a silent auction and food trucks.Photo gallery by Ilana Newman, for The Journal

On Saturday, more than 1,000 people head to Mancos for burros

Multiple golfers started Saturday within several strokes of defending tournament champ Wil Collins, who pulled ahead by day’s end

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

Santa Rita Visitor Center may become self-serve

Durango’s big on charm

Train ridership up 4 percent this year

Animas Valley Balloon Rally launches this weekend

Tourism boosts La Plata County economy in July

5 scenic spots to soak in fall’s colors

Settlement will allow city of Durango to spruce up Memorial Park

Adventures for Hopi connects Native Americans to outdoor recreation

Marijuana has less impact than thought on tourism

Scenic highways help Colorado make Top 10 list

Photos: Santa Rita Park playground reopens

Santa Rita playground opens Tuesday

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