Tourism / Recreation – The Durango Herald

Purgatory in Durango celebrates its golden anniversary

Resort an economic driver that changed the community

DATE: Dec 5, 2015 | CATEGORY: Local News

Colorado urges outdoor recreation over Black Friday shopping

Shopping substitute: Free entry to parks

DATE: Nov 23, 2015 | CATEGORY: Local News

Incoming state tourism director, Cathy Ritter, keenly aware of being positive

Promoting rural Colorado could help counter image of Gold King Mine spill

DATE: Nov 22, 2015 | CATEGORY: Local News

Durango tourism industry faces challenges

2015 strong, but the future looks uncertain

DATE: Nov 20, 2015 | CATEGORY: Local News

Oxbow Preserve in north Durango will temporarily close Dec. 1 amid damage concerns

City councilors will weigh in on opening park

DATE: Nov 17, 2015 | CATEGORY: Local News

Al Roker to broadcast live from Four Corners Monument on Nov. 9

‘TODAY’ host attempts fastest weather forecast

DATE: Nov 4, 2015 | CATEGORY: Local News

Former La Plata County Sheriff takes town administration in Silverton

New town administrator takes on divided town

DATE: Nov 1, 2015 | CATEGORY: Local News

Bill would measure economics of outdoor recreation

Goal is to educate Congress on impact of industry

DATE: Oct 29, 2015 | CATEGORY: Local News

Teeing off on new greens at Hillcrest Golf Club

Renovations are the first since 1979

DATE: Oct 22, 2015 | CATEGORY: Local News

Durango lodgers tax declines in August

Timing of Labor Day, rather than Gold King spill, could be to blame

DATE: Oct 17, 2015 | CATEGORY: Local News

Dynamics of legalized pot make it unlikely fodder for tourism marketing

In 2012, Coloradoans voted 55 percent to 45 percent to legalize the sale and use of recreational marijuana. From that day, we began the dubious process of trying to build a bridge and walk a...

DATE: Oct 13, 2015 | CATEGORY: A Take on Tourism

Durango airport sees dip in passengers

Director says demand still high, drop is not related to Gold King

DATE: Oct 2, 2015 | 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

Purgatory in Durango celebrates its golden anniversary

Colorado urges outdoor recreation over Black Friday shopping

Incoming state tourism director, Cathy Ritter, keenly aware of being positive

Durango tourism industry faces challenges

Oxbow Preserve in north Durango will temporarily close Dec. 1 amid damage concerns

Al Roker to broadcast live from Four Corners Monument on Nov. 9

Former La Plata County Sheriff takes town administration in Silverton

Bill would measure economics of outdoor recreation

Teeing off on new greens at Hillcrest Golf Club

Durango lodgers tax declines in August

Dynamics of legalized pot make it unlikely fodder for tourism marketing

Durango airport sees dip in passengers

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