Food + Beverage

Better Together

The Good Food Collective places community first and aims to create a thriving foodshed for all Article by Kalista Peña | Photography by Kelly Miranda Southwest Colorado is a magical place to visit, attracting thousands of tourists each year. But those of us who have been here for years or generations and have planted deep roots in this area know that the true beauty is found in our community and the ways we support one another.  When Rachel Landis first set foot in the Animas Valley to...

September 2024

Food + Beverage

The Garden of Eatin'--It's in the Bag

Farm to Summit Chops Backpacking Food Weight and Waste Article by Jennifer Mason | Photography by Louise Barton and Robert Hill Mmm. Rocks. Hard on the tongue, harder on the gut. Rocks are every backpacker’s favorite meal at the end of the long day’s trek. This statement is not hyperbole. Conventional packaged meals for backcountry feasting are typically loaded with enough preservatives to make them outlast the rocks of the Rocky Mountains.   As a professional botanist studying endangered...

September 2024

Food + Beverage

Wild, Green, and Abundant

Katrina Blair tells us about wild foods and gives a few tips for fall foraging Article by Kalista Peña | Photography by Andy Wingerd With the inspiration of her parents and her many adventures, Katrina Blair has discovered that “wild foods [are] the most optimal way of being.” This realization led her to create Turtle Lake Refuge, a nonprofit that celebrates the connection between personal health and wild lands. Blair, a Durango local, has dedicated her life’s work to educating people about...

September 2024

Home + Design

Durango Cabinet Company Excellence

Nick and Lindsay Garrison: Your Local Experts in Custom Cabinetry and Personalized Design" Article by Nick and Lindsay Garrison | Photography by Andy Wingerd We are Nick and Lindsay Garrison, your Durango neighbors and owners of Durango Cabinet Company. As a husband-and-wife team, we blend practicality and creativity in every project. Nick, with 20 years as a contractor, handles installations with precision, while Lindsay manages scheduling and client communications. Our...

September 2024

Home Services

Redefining Design: Concrete, Steel, and Wood

CounterKulture Design Studio's Innovative Approach Merges Materials to Create Unique and Timeless Creations Article by Gavin McCalden and Andrew Barber | Photography by Gavin McCalden Founded in 2005, CounterKulture Design Studio has established itself as a leader in concrete design, dedicated to exceeding the highest expectations of builders. Over the past 19 years, the studio has crafted thousands of square feet of countertops, wall panelings, fireplaces, tables, furniture, planters, and...

September 2024

Auto + Marine

Adventure Awaits!

Van Lab's crew builds high-quality adventure vehicles with your travel bucket list in mind. Article by Kalista Peña | Photography by Rob Gowler On Memorial Day weekend in 2001, Andrew Barber first drove into the picturesque Animas Valley. With faith, good music, and a hopeful spirit, he navigated a rickety old E-150 work van he bought sight unseen to Durango. He was a bit stunned and wide-eyed as he strolled into town during the annual Biker Rally. He looks back at this memory with a laugh...

August 2024

Style + Beauty

Durango's Hidden Gems

A Tour of Durango's Premier Consignment Stores Article by Lindsay Dalton, | Photography by Kelly Miranda   Durango's rich history and unique location have made it a treasure trove of Southwest heritage. In its consignment stores, you'll uncover forgotten gems that resonate deeply with the soul. Explore these hidden treasures and discover what awaits—pieces that blend the Southwest's timeless past with modernity!  NöMAD  Growing up, I was an only child of a single mom, and thrifting was a...

August 2024

Arts + Culture

Bold and Beautiful: Modern Ute Regalia

How two women are embracing modernism in their handcrafted regalia Article by Kalista Peña | Photography by John Leonard Upon meeting Kristean Velasquez, one cannot look away from her stunning beaded earrings. Large lemon-yellow hearts fill the center, outlined with several rows of yellow beads. All differing shades stretch outward, creating an ombre that radiates like sunshine. Symbolic of her people and culture, Velasquez wears a piece of regalia every day. Handcrafted between someone's...

August 2024

Home + Design

If Walls Could Talk

Achieve Maximum Style in Your “Crib” Using This Crib Sheet Article by Jenny Mason | Photography by Kelly Miranda If your walls could talk, what might they say about you? When all the interior elements are correctly wed, a home becomes more than a box holding basic necessities. Instead, it becomes a shrine that beams the unique quirks of your heart and soul to shine for all to see. Interior designers Sheryl Lock of Handcrafted House and Christine Heartsill of Mountain Luxe Interiors reveal the...

August 2024

Local Services

And They Call It Puppy Love

Parker’s Animal Rescue Finds Forever Homes for Rescued Dogs Using Foster-based Care System Article by Kalista Peña | Photography by Ashton DeVillier As a teenager, Lisa Parker remembers driving to Canyon de Chelly with her father and stopping in Kayenta, Arizona for gas. Three dogs rushed to their vehicle in hopes of any food scraps or soft pats. Parker's heart fell at the sight of them—perhaps it was their frail stature, or the adoration in their eyes. Either way, she knew she wanted to help...

August 2024