La Plata County Courthouse

Local News

Federal immigration officer accused of assault appears in La Plata County Court

Agent allegedly tossed woman’s cellphone, threw her to the ground

June 4, 2026

Plea hearing delayed for former jail commander accused of invasion of privacy

Attorneys continue negotiations in case involving 117 counts

February 3, 2026

Durango man found guilty of second-degree murder in motel shooting

Prosecutors said killing was deliberate; defense claimed self-defense

December 23, 2025

Colorado governor appoints next La Plata County judge

Douglas Reynolds to be sworn in Jan. 16

December 23, 2025

Judge rejects plea deal in Durango hit-and-run case

Agreement sought to give driver up to 90 days in jail after leaving scene of crash

March 20, 2024

Man arrested in connection with sprinkling white powder on Durango buildings

Jason Morrison, 52, allegedly seen on video purchasing 10-pound bags of baking soda

March 4, 2024

Durango police investigate suspicious white powder spread around buildings

Courthouse and police station were closed Tuesday morning

February 13, 2024

Jury trial begins for La Plata County man suspected of murder

Nicolo ‘Nico’ Tonelli is accused of fatally shooting his close friend Jamison ‘Jmoe’ McMaster after contentious night

January 11, 2024

Third jury trial begins for Durango man suspected of child sex assault

Most recent trial ended in hung jury after jurors were unable to reach unanimous decision

December 11, 2023

Mistrial declared in child sex assault trial

Prosecutors mum on whether they plan to refile charges against Durango man

October 19, 2023

Drunken driver in fatal crash, who was traveling about 111 mph, sentenced to prison

Justin Jobe, 35, was speeding on county road southwest of Durango during bachelor party

August 8, 2023

Driver who fell asleep causing head-on crash sentenced to probation

Family of mother killed agree to plea deal

January 27, 2023

Farmington man charged with kidnapping, sexual assault

Terrell Hardy is free on $50,000 bail

August 25, 2022

Ignacio woman accused of killing road worker in car crash pleads ‘not guilty’

Judge denies bail reduction, sets trial date for December

July 14, 2022

Woman accused of killing Farmington man in crash has felony charge dismissed

Virginia Cundiff faces 7 misdemeanor charges

July 2, 2022

Bayfield man gets five years in prison for violent crime spree

Tyler James ordered to pay $160,000 in restitution

June 16, 2022

Court finds sufficient evidence to advance felony charge in fatal car crash

Ignacio woman held on $50,000 cash-only bail

June 14, 2022

Ignacio man sentenced to life in prison for wife’s murder

Heated exchanges occur in courtroom between convict and victim’s family

June 10, 2022

Man gets one year in prison for violating bail conditions

Court cites history of probation revocation

May 21, 2022

Defense lawyers say Ignacio murder suspect acted in heat of passion

Opening statements made Tuesday in 6th Judicial District Court

April 19, 2022

Law officers seek man suspected of dragging dog behind car near Cortez

Dustin Edward Martinez is wanted on arrest warrant after failing to appear in Montezuma County court

April 12, 2022

Man accused of burglary, jail escape and animal abuse sentenced to prison

Jonah Barrett-Lesko was refused entry into a community corrections program

March 25, 2022

Cortez man avoids jail time after attempted victim retaliation in Durango

Hernando Tsosie, 42, must serve three years with community corrections

March 18, 2022

Gov. Polis names Durango woman to serve as next district court judge

Kim Shropshire, 53, has extensive civil law experience working with low-income individuals

March 3, 2022