Professional Services

Every Pet Has Its Day

Discovering Durango’s Unique Pet Services Article by Denise Leslie Spend a little time in Durango, and one thing becomes clear—our pets are part of the adventure. They’re hiking companions, patio regulars, road-trip buddies, and loyal family members. Whether strolling Main Avenue or exploring a favorite trail, animals are woven into our community’s fabric. As the way we care for our pets continues to evolve, so do the services available to support them. Alongside traditional veterinary...

Life + Culture

The Salsanaut

Danny Jaques Turned Space Salsa Into a Mission to Send Kids to Space Camp Article by Kathleen O'Connor | Photography by Danny Jaques, Kathleen O'Connor Danny Jaques remembers the exact day he became a space nerd. It was May 15, 1963. He was five years old, sitting in the living room in front of the black-and-white TV in his family’s farmhouse near Ignacio, Colorado. Newscaster Walter Cronkite appeared on the screen as astronaut Gordon Cooper lifted off aboard Faith 7 on the last crewed...

Education

From Student to Steward

An FLC alum follows her passion, inspiring youth through outdoor education and hands-on learning Article by Kalista Peña | Photography by The Mountain Studies Institute Haley Perez grew up in the Nambe Pueblo in Northern New Mexico, surrounded by enchanting desert landscapes. A few miles outside her Pueblo, in the foothills of the Sangre de Cristos, lies a desert oasis with beautiful waterfalls framed by lush greenery, truly an anomaly in the arid climate. As a kid, she often visited the...

Arts + Culture

Practice Makes Possibility

Where Young Musicians Learn Lessons for Life Article by Meghann Zenteno | Photography by Courtesy of San Juan Symphony In a world built around instant gratification, learning an instrument remains one of the few pursuits that offers no shortcuts. No app can make a young violinist play in tune overnight. No algorithm can teach a trumpet player to persevere through a difficult passage. Progress comes through practice, patience, mistakes, and the willingness to try again tomorrow. That reality...

Education

Know Your Dough

Teaching Life’s Most Valuable Lessons Article by Denise Leslie | Photography by Courtesy of Know Your Dough Think back to your school days. You probably remember algebra formulas and historical dates, but do you remember learning to create a budget, understand a credit score, or plan for your financial future? For many adults, those lessons came through experience—sometimes the hard way. That realization inspired Know Your Dough , a Southwest Colorado nonprofit dedicated to helping young...

Arts + Culture

The Truth is Often Stranger Than Fiction

Horsefly History Tours: Where western pride, gold mines, secret tunnels, and other hauntings all collide. Article by Kalista Peña | Photography by Andy Wingerd and Horsefly History Tours Most people passing through Durango are sure to realize what a special place it is. They admire the mountain views, explore the miles of trails, and enjoy the quaint charm of our restaurants, cafes, boutiques, outdoor stores, and more.   But those of us who have had the pleasure of living here know it’s more...

Travel

In Some Other Place

This Summer’s Best Travel Tip Doubles as Defense Against Viral Tourist Destruction Article by Jennifer Mason | Photography by Courtesy of Jonathan Thompson Taking a summer vacation this year? Finding lodging, booking flights, or picking attractions are not the toughest choices you’ll make. The real dilemma is whether to post your scenic selfies on social media. Award-winning environmental journalist, editor, and author—and local Durangoan—Jonathan Thompson offers an unusual travel tip to...

Real Estate

From Exploration to Home

Why Durango Inspires People to Put Down Roots Article by Legacy Properties West Sotheby’s International Realty Some places are meant to be visited. Others invite something more profound. Durango has been a destination for explorers—mountain bikers chasing singletrack, skiers carving powder, anglers casting into gold-medal waters, and travelers drawn to the rhythm of a mountain town that feels both adventurous and grounded. For many, what begins as a visit gradually becomes something more: a...

Life + Culture

Fly Me to The Moon

Agile Space Industries Brings Moon Joy and Aerospace Innovation to Durango Article by Kathleen O'Connor | Photography by Courtesy of Agile Space Industries It was a warm, breezy April day in Cape Canaveral, Florida, as NASA launched Artemis II, its first crewed lunar flyby in 50 years. It marked a historic moment in space exploration. Durango was there, in spirit at least, as six employees from Durango-based Agile Space Industries witnessed the ground-shaking launch. Agile Control Systems...

Entertainment

Explore the Story Behind the Song

Durango’s newest music festival celebrates the writers, stories, and creative journeys Article by Denise Leslie | Photography by Courtesy of San Juan Songwriters Festival Most of us can remember a song that became part of our lives. Maybe it was playing through the speakers on a summer road trip, drifting across a dance floor, or marking a moment we still carry years later. Songs often become intertwined with our stories, yet few of us ever stop to consider where they began. This fall...