Durango Local News started as Durango TV (DTV), Durango’s original local television station serving the greater Durango area on Spectrum Channel 15, which provides Durango residents with daily newscasts from KUSA Denver 9 NEWS. When Denver 9 NEWS finishes its broadcasts each day, we use this same channel 15 to transit NEWS and marketing, broadcasting 3-5 minute short local NEWS stories on positive, important, inspiring topics.
In 2017, we expanded the broadcast to a small network of digital displays in high traffic retail locations across Durango and at the airport. We immediately found that they helped us reach more locals each day and the feedback was very positive. We continued to expand the network of displays and our success.
In 2020, Durango Local News Durango became part of Local News Network, aimed at bringing this revolutionary and sustainable model of local news to small towns across the USA.
After a successful career in technology and management,Laurie opened the Durango FASTSIGNS in 2009. In 2013, she purchased DurangoTV. Laurie was the Colorado State Competition winner with her 2018 Business Plan for starting a visual communications company. She was also awarded Entrepreneur for the year award in 2020 by Durango Chamber of Commerce and FASTSIGNS Award their prodigious FASTSIGNS Franchisee of the year in 2015.
After stints in Austin and Silicon Valley, Nathan co-foundedWeb Services Management in Durango in 2010 - a boutique web services and software company. A seasoned entrepreneur and technology architect, he has built several Content Management Systems (CMS) systems for media companies, and has deep experience weaving web, mobile, cloud and backend technologies into cohesive systems.
Deborah has more than 40 years experience as a journalist and communications professional. She joined Laurie in 2013 to launch Durango TV and blended her knowledge of journalism and public communications to build a proven process to create short news stories relevant to the communities they cover. As Chief News Officer, she trains journalists how to transition from a print-based writer to video journalist, how to find relevant and important stories in their communities, and how to write stories using the LNN VideoScript Template.
Allison Farkas, known to many as Allie, is a passionate and highly skilled graphic designer with over 20 years of experience in print and digital design. Her career has spanned working with print shops, photographers, and serving as an in-house designer for a Fortune 500 company. She has created thousands of designs, including logos, flyers, brochures, posters, packaging, t-shirts, and trade show graphics—bringing creativity and precision to every project.
With a strong foundation in vector illustration and typography, Allison has a keen eye for design and a deep understanding of branding. She takes pride in crafting designs that not only meet but exceed client expectations, ensuring every project is both visually compelling and strategically effective. A lifelong learner, she continues to expand her skill set into areas like video editing, animation, and UI/UX design.
Outside of work, Allison finds inspiration in nature—whether hiking in the woods, paddleboarding on the river, or tending to her garden. She also enjoys cooking and baking for friends and family.
After receiving a bachelor’s degree in Film from Montana State University, Zach moved to Los Angeles where he worked freelance in the film and television industry. When the pandemic brought him back to his hometown Durango in 2020, he had a serendipitous encounter with Matt Crossett of the LNN while hiking, and soon after joined the LNN team. As videographer and editor, Zach employs his love for visual storytelling to produce content that's relevant and engaging to the community he loves the most.
Meet Tracey Wagster-Hilton, a seasoned Marketing and Advertising Director with a proven track record of delivering outstanding results in the dynamic world of marketing. Tracey has demonstrated an exceptional ability to craft and execute innovative marketing strategies that drive brand awareness, engagement, and revenue growth.
Throughout her career, Tracey has consistently exceeded expectations by leveraging her deep understanding of consumer behavior, market trends, and emerging technologies. Tracey has successfully led cross-functional teams, collaborating with creative minds, data analysts, and media experts to deliver impactful campaigns that resonate with audiences.
With an impressive portfolio of successful campaigns and a reputation for delivering results, Tracey Wagster-Hilton continues to be a driving force in the world of marketing and advertising. Her passion for the industry, combined with her extensive knowledge and experience, makes her a trusted advisor and a go-to resource for businesses seeking to achieve marketing excellence.
Connor joins us from KOA News Radio in Denver, where hespent seven years as the breaking news reporter for Colorado's Morning News.While at KOA, he was involved in two #1 ratings periods and was part of theteam that earned the 2018 Station of the Year Award from The ColoradoBroadcasters Association. Connor has been both a News Director and SportsDirector over the course of his broadcast career, and he spent two seasons asthe play-by-play broadcaster for the minor league affiliates of the MilwaukeeBrewers and Cleveland Indians. Connor enjoys traveling, watching live music andsipping good whiskey. As a native of Southern New Mexico, he is always on thelookout for good green chile.
Sadie joined Local NEWS Network in December 2023 after graduating magna cum laude from the University of Colorado Boulder with a bachelor's degree in media production and a minor in journalism. A Durango native, she loves reconnecting with her community and sharing its stories as a multimedia journalist. At Local NEWS Network, she covers a wide range of topics, from local government to human-interest stories.
Growing up, she competed as a freestyle skier and in rodeo events and horse shows for over 10 years. In her free time, Sadie enjoys cooking, traveling, spending time outdoors and reading a good book.
Elijah (Eli) joined Local News Network as a Project Manager after serving as a Program Manager at Four Corners Office for Resource Efficiency, a non-profit organization focused on emission reduction. A native of Durango, CO, Eli is passionate about outdoor activities such as mountain biking, rafting, soccer, and scuba diving. He also contributes as a part-time coach with the Rio Rapids Durango Soccer Club. Eli earned his degree in Entrepreneurship, with a minor in Sustainability, from Metropolitan State University of Denver in 2022.
Steven joined the Local NEWS Network team after earning his bachelor’s degree in marketing from the Leeds School of Business at the University of Colorado Boulder. Passionate about connecting local businesses with their communities, he focuses on fostering meaningful engagement and growth. Through collaboration, Steven aims to build a seamless platform that delivers relevant local news while helping businesses showcase their brand identity and core values.
