Durango Local News

Here is what is happening around Durango this week:

120th Anniversary Celebration of Mesa Verde National Park
📆 Friday, June 5, 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
📍 EsoTerra Arboretum

4-Corners Rough Stock Challenge
📆 Saturday, June 6, 7:00 PM
📍 La Plata County Fair Grounds

Durango Cowboy Gathering 12th Annual Barn Dance, Picnic & Silent Auction
📆 Sunday, June 7, 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM
📍 River Bend Ranch

By Sadie Smith

Get more local updates at lnn.news

This story is sponsored by Dunkin' and RMW Tafoya Barrett & Associates.

The San Juan River peaked at 907 cfs this spring, one of the earliest peaks in 70 years of record. Local whitewater guides and river engineers explain what that means for rafting seasons, recreation, and the broader watershed this summer.

By Christi Bode

Watch more at LNN.news

This story is sponsored by Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers and Happy Pappy's Pizza n Wings.

Here's what is happening around Durango this week:

Durango Bluegrass Train
📆 Thursday, May 28 - Saturday, May 30 | Doors open at 6:30 - departure at 7:00 PM
📍Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad Depot

Animas River Days
📆 Saturday, May 30 - Sunday, May 31
📍 Santa Rita Park

Colorado, My Home by the Durango Barbershoppers
📆 Saturday, May 30, 7:00 PM
📍 Durango High School Auditorium

By Sadie Smith

Watch more at LNN.news

This story is sponsored by The Payroll Department and Center for Innovation.

Southwest Colorado's San Juan Mountains carry a history that most visitors never see — one written in carved trees, stone cairns, and stories passed down through families for generations. In this video, Peggy Montano explores the shared legacy of Hispano and Basque sheepherders who worked these mountains together, and reflects on what it means to carry that heritage forward today. It's a story about sacrifice, cultural resilience, and the deep connection between people and the land they've called home across centuries.

By Peggy Montaño

This story is sponsored by Alpine Bank, Sky Ute Casino Resort and Strater Hotel

Watch the full Voices of the Past: Southwest Colorado series on our YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL95-H7AZ9CfxmsM7dEmV8YcO_XH0n5cZd&si=yrWPQL_F381ZppEs

Most visitors come to Southwest Colorado's mountains to hike, fish, and ski, but Peggy Montaño sees something else when she looks at those peaks — generations of family history, and a story that hasn't been told often enough. In this episode of Voices of the Past, Peggy reflects on her roots as a descendant of Hispano sheepherders from Canjilon, New Mexico and the Ignacio area, and explains why she wrote about this history for the Power of Place Magazine. It's a conversation about what these mountains meant to the people who worked them — and why that history deserves a place in how we understand Southwest Colorado today.

By Peggy Montaño

This story is sponsored by Alpine Bank, Sky Ute Casino Resort and Strater Hotel.

Watch the full Voices of the Past: Southwest Colorado series on our YouTube channel.
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL95-H7AZ9CfxmsM7dEmV8YcO_XH0n5cZd&si=yrWPQL_F381ZppEs

Durango has a busy Memorial weekend ahead:

23rd Annual Downtown Clean Day
📆 Friday, May 22 | 8:30 AM - 12 PM
📍 Keller Williams Realty, 700 Main Avenue

Iron Horse Bicycle Classic
📆 Saturday, May 23 - Sunday, May 24
📍 Downtown Durango and Surrounding Areas

Narrow Gauge 10 Mile Run
📆 Sunday, May 24 | 10 Mile at 8 AM | 5K at 8:10 AM | Kids Fun Run at 9:45 AM
📍 Santa Rita Park

By Sadie Smith

Watch this story and more at LNN.news

This story is sponsored by Serious Texas BBQ and Durango Gelato, Coffee & Tea.

Bestselling author Louis L'Amour wrote the first draft of Skyring Water around 1960, but the publishing industry's strict genre categories made it nearly impossible for a Western writer to break into other genres at the time. The manuscript sat unfinished until his death in 1988, and for decades after. His son, Beau L'Amour, has now completed the Cold War thriller, which releases June 2, 2026.

By Sadie Smith

Watch more at LNN.news

This story is sponsored by Sky Ute Casino Resort and Kroegers Ace Hardware.

Music in the Mountains is celebrating its 40th anniversary season this summer, running July 9 through Aug. 2. What started in 1987 with just 11 musicians has grown into a world-class orchestra featuring performers from around the globe, with free community concerts, family performances, chamber music, and more across the Four Corners region.

By Sadie Smith

See more community news at lnn.news

This story is sponsored by FASTSIGNS and Happy Pappy's Pizza n Wings.

Welcome to the newly-launched LNN!

Communities deserve a place to stay informed, connected, and engaged with what’s happening around them every day.

That’s why we rebuilt LNN—to create a modern local platform that brings together the news, events, weather, sports, and community information people rely on most.

Now, in one place, you can:

• Follow local stories that impact your community
• Discover events and happenings nearby
• Stay updated on weather and local conditions
• Follow local sports and teams
• Connect with businesses and community updates

This is more than a website launch.
It’s a new chapter for local connection.

Thank you for supporting local journalism and growing with us.

Explore the newly launched LNN:
https://LNN.news

Thinking about getting your garden started? The Garden Guys have you covered. Tom Bartels and Darrin Parmenter share their top tips for Four Corners gardeners.

By Sadie Smith

Watch more community news at durangolocal.news

This story is sponsored by Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers and The Payroll Department.