La Plata County Votes Blue

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

Over the course of 2022, the real estate market has seen some of the starkest effects of change in our monetary policy. With interest rates up and prices maintaining at record levels, it seems that the local market may finally be beginning to see cracks in the surface of the fast paced free-wheeling buyer demand. Winter has come, and the seasonal slowdown coupled with uncertainty is leading some buyers to pause the search while others persistently search out the right deal. What’s to happen in 2023? Watch this month’s episode of The Durango Real Estate Update to make your predictions. By Dan Korman. This story is sponsored by Alpenglow Properties, LLC

Hillcrest Head Golf Pro Brett Wolf is encouraging golfers to sign up for the indoor league. The first session begins December 20th. The league is played with two golfers comprising a team that competes over a variety of scoring styles. The 2022/23 season will mark the second year Hillcrest Golf Course has utilized its simulator for competitive golf. Golfers can also use the simulator for lessons. Hillcrest also rents the space for corporate and team-building events. By Connor Shreve. This story is sponsored by Service Master Restore and Tafoya Barrett & Associates

Tailwind Nutrition initially began when co-founder Jeff Vierling wanted to find endurance fuel that worked for him, after running several ultra-marathons with less-than-preferable side effects from other formats. Today, Tailwind Nutrition sells its products across the United States and the world, mixed, packaged, and shipped from their new facility right next to the Durango La Plata Airport. By Hannah Robertson. This story is sponsored by The Payroll Department and The Man Cave Barber

The La Plata Family Centers Coalition, a nonprofit organization that provides direct services and assistance to families in La Plata County through grants, employment opportunities, and more. The organization, where volunteers, employees, and participants feel like family, offers a wide range of services, one of anything you might need. By Hannah Robertson. This story is sponsored by Alpine Bank

Some extra-large eggs—a nest of six dinosaurs eggs were revealed to crowds of locals and their children at the Sherman Dugan Museum of Geology at San Juan College. Unbroken, and perfectly preserved, they were purchased and donated by Sean Dugan, son of Sherman, and grandson of Tom Dugan, an oil and gas family known for their generosity to San Juan County. By Donna K. Hewett This story is sponsored by Distill Beer, Wine, Spirits and CMIT Solutions

The City of Durango has installed a new self-help kiosk at City Hall to better assist city residents when the cashier is otherwise unavailable. Durango Parks and Recreation with Durango Fire Protection District are planning prescribed burns in Dalla and Overend Mountain Parks this December, and it’s already time to start planning Snowdown activities. By Hannah Robertson This story is sponsored by Service Master Restore and Tafoya Barret & Associates

TBK Bank has partnered with Housing Solutions for the Southwest to help bring the holiday spirit a little closer to home for 15 families this holiday season. Until December 16th, check out angel trees at various TBK Bank locations in Durango and Bayfield to adopt a family or donate gifts (financial and otherwise) directly to your closest branch. By Hannah Robertson This story is sponsored by Pop’s Truck & RV Center and 2180 Lighting and Design Studio

SOIL Outdoor Learning Lab will replace the closed Ohana Kuleana community garden when it opens next spring at Riverside Elementary School. The project includes four phases and organizers are still looking for volunteers and donors. By Connor Shreve. This story is sponsored by StoneAge Tools and The Community Foundation Serving Southwest Colorado

When Sarah Kautzman was looking for a new addition to her family, she had an idea of the type of dog she wanted. After going to the shelter, Kautzman found a sweet puppy the shelter said would be a labradoodle. After taking home their new family member, the family quickly realized that she was definitely not a labradoodle, but a loving addition to the family just the same. Kautzman decided to write the short story “Accidental Tiny Dog” about the experience, which will be hitting bookshelves near you this holiday season, with proceeds going to support local animal shelters and rescues, encouraging the message “Adopt, don’t Shop”. By Hannah Robertson. This story is sponsored by Tafoya Barret and Associates and Service Master Restore

All-Ability Parks address parts of the community that often have issues accessing more traditional playgrounds and parks. Spurred by community advocates, the City of Farmington plans to take the site of the former Tibbetts Middle School on Apache Street and transform the space from the dirt lot, track, and old building into a space reflecting the needs and wants of all individuals in the community - no matter how they get around or interact with their environment. The park, the first of its kind in San Juan County, is planned to break ground in the Fall of 2023. By Hannah Robertson This story is sponsored by Ace Hardware of Farmington and Boon’s Family Thai BBQ

Ever wondered what that odd contraption behind the fish hatchery is? Give a Dam discusses what a beaver deceiver is, and how it helps. Between helping to direct water flow and the impact on natural wetlands, beavers are an important part of the ecosystem and Give A Dam wants to help spread the word. By Dustin Walker This story is sponsored by The Payroll Department and the Man Cave Barbers

Wild Mushroom season can be rewarding in many ways. Not only can wild mushrooms be used as medicinal supplements, but you can also create delicious meals with them. By Dustin Walker. This story is sponsored by Kroegers ACE Hardware and the Law Firm of Downs McDonough, Cowan, and Foley

Noel Night is back, this time for a whole day, as it celebrates 20 years of encouraging local holiday shopping. The Durango Business Improvement District is bringing back its Holiday Rewards Program, and San Juan Basin Public Health is recognized for its efforts in making medical care accessible to more women in the community. By Hannah Robertson. This story is sponsored by The Law Firm of Downs, McDonough, Cowan & Foley and Serious Texas BBQ

A helicopter landing on the DHS baseball field brought some buzz to the school’s Career & Technical Education (CTE) program and a new student-led medical club. Students looked inside the helicopter, met the crew and participated in a Q&A with an in-flight nurse and pilot. By Connor Shreve. This story is sponsored by Happy Pappy’s Pizza & Wings and Kroeger’s Ace Hardware

If you’ve never met a Swainson’s Hawk in person, this is your chance. Hawks Aloft, a New Mexico non-profit, traveled to Farmington Museum to conduct their education program to local children and their parents. Hawks A loft’s research provides valuable insight into the welfare of local raptor populations—through rescue, rehab and education. By Donna K. Hewett This story is sponsored by @BoonsFamilyThaiBBQ and Pop’s Truck and RV Center

On a windy Friday afternoon, Navajo Preparatory School hosted a dedication ceremony for the rebuilt hogan on the campus - a place that marries tradition with modernity and has already established itself as a home for the students who attend the Academy. With speeches from current and former students, state representatives, and community leaders, the celebration was a warm and welcoming as the crackling fire in the center of the hogan. By Hannah Robertson. This story is sponsored by CMIT Solutions and Service Master Restoration

Manna Soup Kitchen was founded over 20 years ago with a mission to feed people experiencing homelessness. While the heart of their mission hasn’t changed, the way Manna has gone about it has. From feeding people in church parking lots to their newest renovation, complete with a community garden, a place to shop for fresh fruits and vegetables to cook at home, and places to make phone calls and meet with service providers, Manna Soup Kitchen is committed to meeting people in the community where they are to get them back on their feet. This story is sponsored by Alpine Bank

The City of Durango has launched a new webpage to encourage community engagement with local issues. Durango School District 9R wants to hear from you about how you use their websites, Santa Claus is returning to Buckley Park for Singing with Santa, with a slight change from years before. And Southwest Colorado Gives wants to encourage local donations for this year’s Colorado Gives Day. This story is sponsored by Ute Mountain Casino Hotel and 2180 Lighting and Design Studio

It’s a simple idea: Get more kids on bikes. But first, you need the bikes. Through a national grant and a local-business partnership with Mountain Bike Specialists, Escalante Middle School made it happen. Thirty-five shiny new bikes have arrived at the school, and students are eagerly waiting for the first ride. By Connor Shreve. This story is sponsored by Pops Truck & RV Center and Serious Texas BBQ