Iron Horse 2023 Registration Opens

12/15/2022

The Iron Horse Bicycle Classic, coming off from last year’s celebrations, will open registration for the 2023 event. Durango Wine Experience Early Bird Tickets are available until December 31st, and Fort Lewis College will celebrate over 200 graduates at its Fall Commencement Ceremony. The Durango Police Department’s Drone Unit will celebrate a successful first year in January with over 100 flights. By Hannah Robertson. This story is sponsored by Happy Pappy’s Pizza and Wings and Kroegers Ace Hardware

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Get a head start on spring plans with early bird tickets for the 2023 Durango Wine Experience and registration for the 2023 Iron Horse Bicycle Classic. Fort Lewis College will celebrate over 200 students from the class of 2022 at fall commencement and the Durango Police Department nears one year of its Drone Unit. You're watching the Local News Roundup, brought to you by Happy Pappy's Pizza n Wings and Kroegers ACE Hardware. I'm Wendy Graham Settle. Registration for the 2023 Iron Horse Bicycle Classic opens December 16th after a special locals-only registration December 15th at Fort Lewis College. The Iron Horse, an annual event, will be held Friday, May 26th through Sunday, May 28th and features the traditional race against the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad and will introduce a new event for 2023. The Durango Mesa Cycling Festival, will be on Sunday, May 28th, and feature mountain bike races on new trails being constructed this spring as part of a new bike park on the mesa. A festival-like atmosphere with food, drinks and family-friendly activities will accompany the races. To learn more about the Iron horse Bicycle Classic, and to register, visit ironhorsebicycleclassic.com. The Durango Police Department's Drone Unit has had a successful first year since becoming part of the Department in January, 2022. The Drone Unit was added to assist with crash investigations, search and rescue, hazardous spills, missing persons cases, disaster response, and more. Over the year, two additional drones have been added due to the program's success. With over a hundred flights in just the first year of service, the Durango Police Department is looking forward to continuing the work with the program. Officer Dan Kellermeyer, of the Drone Unit, said, in a news release, "It's a great piece of technology "that serves the whole community very well. "We want to be engaged with the community "on how the drone works "and how we're utilizing it here at the Police Department." Learn more about the Durango Police Department and its programs, at durangogov.org/police. Fort Lewis College will hold its fall commencement ceremony for over 200 Class of 2022 graduates, Friday, December 16th at Whalen Gymnasium. The graduates, who span across departments, will be part of Fort Lewis College's 61st commencement. Associate Professor of Political Science, Paul DeBell, will address the graduates. Although the ceremony is not open to the public, you can livestream the event on the college's Facebook Page, at facebook.com/fortlewis. Early Bird Tickets for the Durango Wine Experience 2023 are now available. The Wine Experience is a weekend of wine tastings and events. All proceeds go to support the Community Foundation serving Southwest Colorado, with local nonprofits. Until December 31st, a weekend pass, which includes the Walkabout and Grand Tasting, is $140. Beginning January 1st, tickets will be $155. Visit durangowine.com for all event details and to purchase your pass. That's it for this week's Local News Roundup. I'm Wendy Graham Settle.

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PAST DURANGO LOCAL NEWS STORIES

January 18, 2024

Ignacio Monthly Roundup

The Ignacio Community Library invites you to join the second annual fundraising gala, Denim and Diamonds, featuring local art, artists, and food. With winter in full swing, the Repair Cafe has moved to the first Saturday of the month to keep library staff, volunteers, and participants safe. With the recent snowfalls, Ignacio School District 11-JT is asking parents and guardians to make sure contact information is up to date in the event of a snow day, and packets for Town Board seats are available for pick-up at Town Hall for the April municipal election. By Hannah Robertson. This story is sponsored by Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers and 2180 Lighting and Design Studio.
January 18, 2024

50 Years of Community

Alpine Bank celebrated its 50th anniversary by giving back to the communities of Colorado, distributing a total of $426,500 to 355 nonprofits chosen by its employees, including 14 in the Durango area. The bank, founded in 1973 by Bob Young, has a longstanding commitment to philanthropy, today seen in action through the Loyalty Debit Card program, which contributes 10 cents to a fund for local causes with every use. In commemoration of the $55 million raised through the program, Alpine Bank provided each employee with $500 to donate to a nonprofit of their choice for the anniversary celebration. By Hannah Robertson. This story is sponsored by Alpine Bank.
January 17, 2024

Snow Problem for Durango

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January 15, 2024

Ignacio Non-Profit Thriving

Since its inception in 2015, The Elhi Community Center has focused on supporting communities in Southwest Colorado. The organization has a clothing closet and provides space for many small businesses and programs. In 2024, ELHI hopes to broaden its reach and continue serving as a venue for events ranging from concerts to classes and various kinds of parties. By Connor Shreve. This story is sponsored by Serious Texas BBQ and Kroegers Ace Hardware.
January 10, 2024

Durango Keeps Moving and Expanding

Durango School District 9-R invites the community to the grand opening of the Impact Career Innovation Center at Durango High School on January 24th. The City of Durango adopted the 2023 Multimodal Plan, which outlines community input-driven updates for an integrated transportation network, emphasizing expanded transit services and improved pedestrian and cyclist infrastructure. El Pomar Foundation is accepting applications for its 2024 internship program, offering a 10-week paid internship for undergraduate students focused on philanthropy and leadership development, and La Plata Electric Association has approved a pass-through rate increase, effective January 1st, with recommendations to avoid peak usage fees by running appliances during off-peak hours. By Hannah Robertson. This story is sponsored by Serious Texas BBQ and The Payroll Department.
January 9, 2024

Skyhawks Shoot for Second Half Success

The Fort Lewis College women’s basketball team heads into the new year on a roll, having won eight of their last ten games. The Skyhawks are relying on added depth and experience to improve their record in year three under Head Coach Taylor Harris. FLC faces a tough test in January, playing at home just twice with the rest of the games on the road. By Connor Shreve. This story is sponsored by Happy Pappy’s Pizza & Wings and Kroegers Ace Hardware.
January 2, 2024

Avalanche Experts Urge Backcountry Caution 

Avalanche deaths reached near-record levels in Colorado during the 2022/23 winter season. Friends of the San Juans is doing its part to reduce that number this season by leading education and outreach efforts throughout the Four Corners. Despite low early-season snowpack, experts warn there is still a risk for slides. By Connor Shreve This story is sponsored by Keesee Motors and Southwest Health System
December 30, 2023

SJBPH Transition to La Plata County Health Department

As of January 1st, 2023, San Juan Basin Public Health will close its doors (metaphorically), and La Plata and Archuleta counties will take over providing public health services to their communities. La Plata Public Health Department has been working over the past year to develop the new department, staff the offices, and ensure the continuation of public health in La Plata County. While essential services like health insurance assistance, emergency clinic services, and wastewater testing will continue uninterrupted, other services will see a slight “pause” while La Plata County Health Department officially takes over in the first couple of weeks of 2024. By Hannah Robertson This story is sponsored by Sky Ute Casino and Kroegers Ace Hardware
December 27, 2023

Winter Weather Tips

Every year, 11,000 people suffer injury from snow shoveling alone. With more snow, ice and colder temperatures comes a higher risk for drivers, pedestrians and pets. The Four Corners region has unique conditions that can increase certain risks. The Local News Network with the help of Visit Durango has gathered some tips to keep you safe, from the high desert to the high alpine. By Connor Shreve This story is sponsored by Tafoya Barrett & Associates and Happy Pappy’s Pizza & Wings
December 22, 2023

Durango Theatreworks Creates Radio Play Versions of Holiday Classics

Durango Theatreworks, a sponsored program of Fort Lewis College’s theatre department, staged and recorded a radio play version of Charles Dickens’ holiday classic A Christmas Carol that ran from December 13 to December 17 at the FLC Mainstage Theatre. The recorded version of the radio play can be heard on Christmas Eve on KDUR 91.9/93.9 at 4PM and KPTE 92.9 The Point at 7PM. It will also be broadcast on Christmas morning on KKDG 99X at 10 AM. A Christmas Carol: A Radio Play was adapted for the stage and radio by Nathan Jerkins and was directed by Fort Lewis College Professor Michael McKelvey. The cast featured Matt Bodo, Conor Sheehan, Jenny Fitts-Reynolds, Mohriah James, Oliver Kennedy, Siena Widen, Hallie Denman, Kieran Peck, Melissa Mossinghoff, and Bella O’Bryan. After the Saturday night performance, the Christmas Carol cast members, along with director McKelvey, also performed a rollicking read through of a radio adaptation of another Christmas favorite, DieHard. Your Old Fashioned Die Hard Radiocast was also adapted by Nathan Jerkins. Durango Theatreworks was started nearly two years ago by Michael McKelvey in an effort to expand the capacity and community involvement of Fort Lewis College’s theatre offerings. Other Theatreworks productions include Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Much Ado About Nothing, and Heathers the Musical, all which cast community members alongside Fort Lewis students. This will be the second year that the company has produced A Christmas Carol for the stage and the radio. By Jessica McCallum. This story is sponsored by The Payroll Department and Serious Texas BBQ
December 21, 2023

New Designs, Old Designs, Designs Everywhere

Submit your nominees for the Design and Development Awards for outstanding projects in the community for 2023. The City of Durango has a new, more modern look to the website along with improved accessibility. On January 1st, San Juan Basin Public Health will officially hand the reins to La Plata County Public Health Department and Archuleta County Public Health Department, with a slight transition period and important notices. And Santa Rita Park is once again the location for dropping off your Christmas Tree this year. By Hannah Robertson This story is sponsored by Tafoya Barrett & Associates and Happy Pappy’s Pizza & Wings
December 20, 2023

Four Corners Gift Guide

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December 18, 2023

Pop Some Tags and Bolster Community at Methodist Thrift

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December 16, 2023

Poet Laureates Announced

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December 19, 2023

The “Act” of Balancing Everything

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December 8, 2023

Leveling Up the Experience

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Ignacio Monthly Roundup: December

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December 6, 2023

Moving Day and Christmas Reward Program

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December 5, 2023

Merely Players Presents Rock Musical Hands on a Hardbody

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Sgt. Michael Moran End of Watch

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