It Takes a Community to Win a National Award

Montezuma Rising is a community music festival in the heart of downtown Mancos featuring the bands Desert Child, Ora, Desiderata, Le Trebuchet, Proud Mother and Influsense. The El Rio Cantina will host the after-party featuring DJ BADGOAT. The fest will also spotlight local non-profits and community organizations doing great things for Montezuma County, and is spearheaded by Fenceline Cider. By Connor Shreve. This story is sponsored by TruWest Auto and Blondie’s Trophy Room.

The completion of the overpass represents a significant milestone for the community, symbolizing its transformation from the 'Bridge to Nowhere' to the 'Bridge to the Future.' The recent event hosted by the Colorado Department of Transportation offered the public an early glimpse of the new highway and bridge, showcasing advancements in safety and wildlife protection. As traffic prepares to shift to the new interchange, CDOT project crews are ready to initiate the reclamation of US Highway 550 along Farmington Hill. With optimism for the project's future success, CDOT anticipates a safer and more reliable transportation route for the region, marking a promising chapter for the community. By Sadie Smith. This story is sponsored by Alpine Bank.

“Crossroads: Change in Rural America” a Colorado humanities tour, runs through June 2nd at the Ignacio Community Library. The exhibit features local events designed to compliment the Smithsonian exhibition, which focuses on the importance of rural culture in southwest Colorado. Topics of exploration include environment, community and Ignacio’s timeline. By Connor Shreve. This story is sponsored by Freddies Frozen Custard & Steakburgers and Serious Texas Bar-B-Q.

Durango Transit and the City of Durango will once again offer free transit on all fixed routes and free parking along select streets in an effort to reduce traffic congestion and encourage public transit use. At a recent visit to the Southern Ute Indian Tribal Council, Senator Michael Bennet and Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner Touton announced $2.3 million in funding for the Pine River Indian Irrigation Project. Durango High School Troup 1096 received four nominations at the annual Bobby G High School Theatre Awards, including the Bobby G equivalent of an Oscar nod. By Hannah Robertson. This story is sponsored by Happy Pappy’s Pizza & Wings and The Payroll Department.

Students from Ignacio School District 11-JT have received awards and recognition from Masonic awards to Skills USA placement to student-athletes signing for collegiate-level play. The Ignacio Community Library is offering a Garden to Kitchen event to teach you how to grow your own food. And on April 30th the new broadband network on the Southern Ute Reservation was activated. By Hannah Robertson. This story is sponsored by Dunkin' Donuts and The Payroll Department.

May is motorcycle awareness month, and the Colorado Department of Transportation has a list of tips to keep both motorcyclists and drivers safe on the roads this summer. Nominations are now open for the Library Community Champion Award, celebrating the volunteer efforts that keep Durango Public Library running smoothly. And make sure to grab tickets for the 11th annual Gardens on Tour with the Durango Botanic Gardens. By Hannah Robertson. This story is sponsored by Kroegers Ace Hardware and Sky Ute Casino.

The La Plata County Office of Emergency Management conducted its annual emergency evacuation exercises, focusing on preparing businesses in Bodo Park for potential emergencies like fires. Participants engaged in immersive simulations to experience evacuation scenarios firsthand, emphasizing the importance of preparedness. While many have evacuation plans for their homes, the exercises highlighted the need for workplace evacuation plans. Strengthening communication between residents and local agencies remains a top priority, with CodeRED serving as an electronic emergency notification system for prompt dissemination of critical alerts. By Sadie Smith. This story is sponsored by Alpine Bank.

Katie Terrell Ramos started Mesa Verde Lavender in 2021 after falling in love with lavender and finding inspiration to start farming in Montezuma County. In 2023, Mesa Verde Lavender received a Field Work grant from the LOR Foundation to expand their fields and add drip irrigation for water conservation. Find Mesa Verde Lavender around the region at coffee shops, bakeries, and apothecaries. By Ilana Newman. This story is sponsored by Choice Building Supply and TruWest Auto.

The USA Cycling Collegiate Road National Championships are being held in Albuquerque, New Mexico May 3rd-5th. The Fort Lewis College Skyhawks Cycling Team returns to the National Championships with defending road race National Champion Kellen Caldwell. FLC Cycling Director Ian Burnett says the Skyhawks have multiple racers who can win in both the road race and criterium. By Connor Shreve. This story is sponsored by Serious Texas BBQ and Happy Pappy’s Pizza & Wings.

Lake Nighthorse will open for daily summer operations on May 10th. Prepare for delays around the entrance with planned construction improvements. Durango-La Plata County Airport will close part of the overflow parking lot for paving work this month, plan accordingly if looking to park for travel. The City of Durango E-bike rebate program is open for 2024 applications, and if you’ve ever wanted to be on the big screen, there is an open casting call for Kevin Costner’s latest movie Wednesday, May 15th. By Hannah Robertson. This story is sponsored by Tafoya Barrett & Associates and Freddy Frozen Custard & Steakburgers.

The FY 2024-2025 Long Appropriations Bill in Colorado prioritizes funding for various areas, including a significant allocation towards universal preschool programs and early childhood services. While this allocation enhances access to early childhood education, there may be potential increased childcare costs for younger children due to rising labor expenses. However, the bill also includes positive implications, such as increased funding for the Colorado Department of Early Childhood and a pay raise for early childhood professionals through the Colorado Childcare Assistance Program. Overall, the budget reflects a commitment to improving early childhood education and childcare services in the state. By Sadie Smith. This story is sponsored by Tafoya Barrett & Associates and Happy Pappy's Pizza and Wings.

Colorado Humanities partnered with Museum on Main Street to bring the exhibition “Crossroads: Change in Rural America” to Ignacio starting April 29th. Explore the history of rural America in the 20th Century and how it relates to the community of Ignacio with the month-long exhibit. Free Ute Language classes are offered every Friday through the Southern Ute Education Department to tribal members and employees. The Ignacio Out and Equal Alliance will host the first QueerMunity conference this summer, and keep an eye out for its monthly book club. By Hannah Robertson. This story is sponsored by Dunkin' Donuts and The Payroll Department.

Nominations are now open for the Durango Education Foundation Outstanding Employee - make sure to nominate a teacher or staff member who has made a difference this year. Work on the reconstruction of North College Drive has begun - the summer-long project will update water and sewage systems and resurface the road. And San Juan Symphony has a summer line-up full of opportunities, from concerts to workshops and more. By Hannah Robertson. This story is sponsored by Serious Texas BBQ and Freddy Frozen Custard & Steakburgers.

The six-episode series chronicles how the craft brewing industry navigated the pandemic shutdowns. It revisits a series of virtual get-togethers that industry tastemakers attended to discuss issues related to the uncertainty of the era. The podcast was produced locally and features two Southwest Colorado brewing institutions, Ska Brewing and Dolores River Brewery. By Connor Shreve. This story is sponsored by Kroegers Ace Hardware and Sky Ute Casino.

Amidst the COVID-19 aftermath, Medicaid unwinding poses a critical healthcare challenge. La Plata County Public Health aids residents in navigating this transition, ensuring equitable access to healthcare options. Despite an extension, misconceptions persist, potentially impacting millions nationwide. Through collaboration with the Department of Human Services, smooth transitions to alternative coverage options are facilitated, offering personalized assistance and translation services to all residents. By Sadie Smith. This story is sponsored by Alpine Bank.

Last year, the Durango Education Foundation funded STEM sets for all seven elementary schools in Durango School District 9-R Now every elementary student in the district can experience STEM through tasks such as coding, podcasts, digital novels, circuit building, and 3D print design. The modern curriculum helps students, collaborate, create and problem-solve. By Connor Shreve. This story is sponsored by Serious Texas BBQ and Freddies Frozen Custard and Steakburgers.

Downtown Durango is bustling with upcoming events, including the return of First Fridays in May, where local artists and businesses collaborate for community art showcases. Meanwhile, road improvements on 32nd Street will cause closures until late 2024, aiming to enhance safety and accommodate high traffic volumes. Fort Lewis College will host the inaugural Four Corners Climate Summit on April 27th, featuring presentations by environmental experts and policymakers discussing climate change impacts in the Southwest. By Hannah Robertson. This story is sponsored by The Payroll Department and Happy Pappy’s Pizza & Wings.

Davis joins Fort Lewis College after leading the Northwest College Trappers for three Seasons. Her Junior College squad improved during Davis’ tenure as Head Coach. A native of Loveland, Colorado, Davis played at Thompson Valley High School before starting her college playing career at Gillette College in Wyoming. She transferred to finish her playing career as team captain at Division II Wayne State College. By Connor Shreve. This story is sponsored by Sky Ute Casino and Tafoya, Barrett & Associates.

The Durango Spring Rewards Program is back as of April 1st where shoppers can earn gift cards by spending money locally at participating stores. The 28th Annual Durango Bluegrass Meltdown is happening the weekend of April 19th through the 21st. Durango Sustainable Goods invites you to an Earth Day film screening of Fashion Reimagined on April 12th at 6 p.m. New presidents have been appointed for Fort Lewis College and Pueblo Community College. Fort Lewis College has appointed Steven Schwartz as interim Vice President for Finance and Administration, and Pueblo Community College has named Dr. Chato Hazelbaker as president. By Rachel Hughes. This story is sponsored by Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers and Dunkin' Donuts

The Wildwood Dance Project, a collective of local dance artists, is hosting a free film screening at the Smiley Building on Friday, April 12th at 7 pm in the Move Studio. The original films showcase the company’s philosophy of engaging new audiences with dance through collaborative multimedia projects. The company will also be holding open auditions for new dancers on Saturday, April 20th from 1-2:30 pm at the Smiley Building. More information about the Wildwood Dance Project can be found online. By Jessica McCallum. This story is sponsored by Tafoya Barrett & Associates and Sky Ute Casino Resort.