WATTS UP: Tapping Into Employee Expertise

Choice Athletics indoor facility provides year-round analysis, coaching for baseball and softball players previously sacked by snow. By Connor Shreve. This story is sponsored by Serious Texas BBQ and Sky Ute Casino.

The La Plata County Public Health Department plans to relocate within the next few months. Find out the latest updates on this transition. By Sadie Smith. This story is sponsored by Alpine Bank.

Four Corners Writers hosted their inaugural kick-off event on Wednesday, Nov. 13, at the Cortez Public Library to celebrate the upcoming anthology, Four Corners Voices, featuring writers from across the region. Look forward to a collection of regional stories, essays, and poetry, arriving soon at local bookstores. By Sadie Smith. This story is sponsored by Big O Tires and Hospice of Montezuma.

The Southern Ute Indian Tribe is seeking public feedback on its Water Quality Standards revisions. The 50-day public comment period opened Nov. 12 and will close Jan. 2, with a public hearing scheduled for Jan. 16 at 10:00 a.m. Last month, the Southern Ute Cultural Center and Museum was awarded the 2024 Community Impact Award from the Association of Tribal Libraries, Archives, and Museums for its Reflections of Honor Exhibit. The exhibit is a year-round space for Tribal veterans to share their stories through interviews, photos, military objects, digitized military documents, and more. 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. There are observations all day long for the Winter Solstice on Saturday, Dec. 21. Chaco Canyon will host a sunrise observation, Farmington Public Library will host a noon observation, and Aztec Ruins National Monument will celebrate a sunset observation. Each will feature a celestial alignment with the shortest day of the year. Ignacio Community Library has new hours for 2025. Starting Jan. 1, the library will be open 8:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 9:00 a.m. t0 5:00 p.m. Friday and Saturday - the library will remain closed on Sundays. By Hannah Robertson. This story is sponsored by Payroll Department and Tafoya Barrett & Associates.

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.

La Plata County holds much appeal for many, but the high cost of living and availability of affordable housing is a barrier, especially for professions such as teaching and school support staff. Ignacio School District 11-JT has found a unique way to attract and retain teachers - providing low-cost housing for staff, teachers, and their families. By Hannah Robertson. This story is sponsored by Kroegers Ace Hardware and Tafoya Barrett & Associates.

All are invited to the Third Anual Round Dance and Native American Arts Market Saturday, Dec. 7. The event, presented by 9-R Native American Education and Native American Parental Advisory Council, will take place from 12:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. at Durango High School. Come learn about the traditional dance and support local Native artists! Cold and flu season is firmly here, so it’s time to make sure that you and your loved ones are up to date on vaccines for the seasonal flu, COVID-19 boosters, and RSV. Make sure to consult with your primary health provider to see what ones are right for you and your family - and take advantage of La Plata County Public Health’s free and low-cost vaccine clinics. Visit Durango announced a proposal to merge with the City of Durango at the end of November. The proposed merger is intended to help further the mission of continually improving both the tourism experience as well as quality of life for Durango residents. The City of Durango will take over management of the downtown Welcome Conter in January as part of the merger. By Hannah Robertson. This story is sponsored by FLC Center for Innovation and Serious Texas BBQ.

Get into the holiday spirit with the 21st Annual Festival of Trees & Wreaths Dec. 6th through 8th! Put on by Community Connections and Our Own Lives, it’s a family-friendly fundraiser you can bring the whole family to. By Sadie Smith. This story is sponsored by Alpine Bank.

A beloved Durango tradition, Noel Night, returns on Friday, Dec. 6, in downtown Durango. Sponsored by 1st Southwest Bank and hosted by Local First, the event promises a day of fun with live music, s’more roasting, local shops and more! Find your holiday gifts and support local businesses this holiday season. By Sadie Smith. This story is sponsored by Durango Gelato, Coffee, & Tea and Crystal Mart.

Despite delay, uncertainty, Skyhawks racers rallied to win multiple medals. By Connor Shreve. This story is sponsored by Fatsigns Durango and Crystal Mart.

For anyone planning on traveling out of the Durango La Plata County Airport this holiday week, be aware of the new remote parking program that is new this year for Thanksgiving Week. Annually the busiest week for the airport, a new shuttled remote parking set-up is meant to help reduce parking angst in the airport’s current lots. Make sure to leave plenty of time for your travels to accommodate finding space for parking and increased traffic overall. For nearly 30 years, people have got their pre-turkey gobble on at the annual Turkey Trot, held Thursday morning at Fort Lewis College. The event, presented by Animas Surgical Hospital, offers a 1-mile fun run and a 5-mile option to get the blood pumping and the community starting. Sign-ups are available online and on the day of, and volunteers are always welcome! The Manna Soup Kitchen’s Community Meal will be offered between 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day with both to-go and delivery available - courtesy of the Vineyard Church. Enjoy a menu full of Thanksgiving favorites with the rest of the community on Thursday. Santa’s reindeer have gotten loose! Children 12 and under are invited to help find Santa’s reindeer at participating downtown businesses before the annual Singing with Santa event on Friday, Nov. 29. The first 50 to find six of reindeer will receive a free mug for hot chocolate at Buckley Park before singing in Santa and the lighting of the community Christmas Tree. By Hannah Robertson. This story is sponsored by Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers and M&R Plumbing.

The Good Food Collective helped 16 local food producers earn business-improving grants from the Colorado Department of Agriculture. Local retailers are using the funds for infrastructure improvements to help provide fresh food to underserved areas. By Connor Shreve. This story is sponsored by Blondie’s Trophy Room and Choice Building Supply.

Do you have some art that’s “Good Enough to Eat”? Ignacio Community Library wants to showcase you with its newest exhibit, opening Dec. 2. Submit your art between Nov. 23-30 for inclusion in the show - all mediums are welcome, and there’s space for everyone! Show off your work for the community to enjoy. The IDEA LAB, Ignacio’s very own makerspace, is gearing up for a year of making and exploring in 2025. Each month will feature a new project, with build sessions every Friday and Saturday. Engineer and code robots, create a stop-motion masterpiece, film a YouTube video, and more! There’s something for everyone next year, check the calendar so you don’t miss a session! Winter weather may be beautiful, but it also comes with a fair bit of danger on those slippery roads. Brush up on winter driving safety with tips from the National Safety Council. With the recent snowfall, brush off your school snow day FAQs with Ignacio School District 11-JT and make sure that all contact information is up to date in the event of a snow-relate delay or cancellation. By Hannah Robertson. This story is sponsored by Crystal Mart and FASTSIGNS Durango.

Come walkin’ in a winter wonderland during Noel Night Friday, Dec. 6 in Downtown Durango. The beloved tradition kicks off the holiday shopping season with a day and evening full of activities, special events, and sales from local artists, vendors, organizations, and more. The Durango Business Improvement District’s Holiday Rewards program also kicks off the same night - your holiday shopping has never been so rewarding! Fort Lewis College is the recipient of two grants totaling $6.7 million to support the development of a diverse teacher workforce and multilingual education. One of the grants will fund Project BLOOM - Building Language and Opening Opportunities for Multilingualism - to help reverse the decline in native language speakers. The other grant will help establish the CEDAR Initiative - Center for Educator Diversity, Achievement, and Responsiveness - to help prepare Indigenous educators and educators of color to serve students in rural, charter, and Tribal schools. With the recent snowfall, brush off your school snow day FAQs with Durango School District 9-R and re-familiarize yourself with the snow day decision process. The school district coordinates with multiple local and regional organizations to decide if and when to close schools or delay the start to keep students, staff, and the community safe during inclement weather. By Hannah Robertson. This story is sponsored by Happy Pappy's Pizza & Wings and Durango Gelato, Coffee & Tea.

Skyhawks golf waited nine years for a single win. It now has three in one season. Traejan Andrews, Tyler Tyson and Dimery Plewe all earned individual medalist honors in 2024. By Connor Shreve. This story is sponsored by The Payroll Department and Dunkin Donuts.

Ever wondered how small towns like Durango keep their economy thriving? Much of it comes down to local organizations like the Economic Development Alliance of La Plata County. By Sadie Smith. This story is sponsored by Alpine Bank.