The Community Foundation serving Southwest Colorado announced record-breaking donations for this year’s Colorado Gives Day, with a 26% increase in donations to nonprofit organizations in Archuleta, Dolores, La Plata, Montezuma, and San Juan counties. The annual giving day reported over $50 million in donations state-wide. The City of Durango is seeking interested individuals to join a stormwater focus group to pursue funding options for the current stormwater program. Applications to join the group are due Jan. 8, with meetings to begin in January. Applications for the MOLAS Scholarship - Meaningful Opportunity through Learning and Achievement - are open. The Community Foundation serving Southwest Colorado administers the scholarship and is open to all first-generation college students. By Hannah Robertson. This story is sponsored by Dunkin Donuts and Kroegers Ace Hardware.

San Juan Mountains Association is holding its Christmas Trees for Conservation fundraiser. Come pick up your Christmas tree and support stewardship and conservation education on Southwest Colorado’s public land. By Sadie Smith. This story is sponsored by FLC Center for Innovation and Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers.

Matt Martensen is trying to change the paradigm of internet monetization. His tech startup, User Cooperative, is a user-owned internet browser structured as a member-governed cooperative. He says trillions of dollars and our well-being are on the line. By Connor Shreve. This story is sponsored by Payroll Department and Sky Ute Casino.

Durango School District 9-R announced the purchase of a permanent home for Big Picture High School at the end of November. The new home, Unit 4 in the Coumbine Center, will provide the school with 12,698 square feet of space, which will be renovated before the school moves in Fall 2026. County Road 251, also known as 32nd Street, has re-opened for the winter after construction work began on the road redesign. The first half of the project included dedicated bike lanes, a shared-use path, landscaping, and drainage work from Holly Avenue to East Animas Drive. Next summer work will continue on the redesign from East Animas Village Drive to Metz Lane. The American Red Cross warns of increased fire risk during the holiday season, so keep homes safe from fire with a few safety precautions. Especially with people visiting and more indoor activities, it’s always a good idea to review your safety precautions, especially with holiday decorations. By Hannah Robertson. This story is sponsored by Happy Pappy's Pizza & Wings and San Juan Regional Medical Center.

Technological advances in health care allow for better outcomes. That is one reason CommonSpirit Mercy Hospital is embracing robotic technology in orthopedic surgery. The hospital is proud to provide the region’s largest array of robotics-assisted surgical technology. The advancements allow for less invasive surgeries, quicker recovery, and longer-term improvements. By Connor Shreve. This story is sponsored by CommonSpirit Health.