Life + Culture

Style with Altitude

How Durango's Outdoor Life Became Its Defining Look Article by Kathleen O'Connor | Photography by Kathleen O'Connor, Durango Outdoor Exchange For years, Durango carried the tongue-in-cheek reputation of being one of America’s "worst dressed" towns, a label most in town actually find quite humorous. Durangoans understand that style, while important to a degree, should follow function. Today, that mountain-inspired look has become one of the town's notable characteristics. But it’s not the only...

Auto + Marine

Fire Up Your Engines

Durango's Custom Design and Concierge Vehicle Services Article by Jennifer Mason | Photography by Andy Wingerd, YAK Custom Designs Seduction begins with a wink. For Carl Brucher, it was the glint of polished chrome in the sunlight. Impossible to miss when he and his mother arrived at the fire station where his dad and uncle served long shifts as firefighters. “The fire engines—they were spotless! And they were always cleaning them,” Brucher recalls. Oh, how he revered that pristine gleam of...

Arts + Culture

Wearable Stories

The Timeless Artistry of Allysia Brooke Designs Article by Kalista Peña | Photography by Andy Wingerd, Allysia Brooke Designs Durango attracts all walks of life, from Olympic athletes to soulful musicians to business professionals and more. Everyone has a unique sense of style, amplified by their accessories and choice of jewelry. Local silversmith Allysia Brooke Edwards has seen it all. She owns Allysia Brooke Designs and can be found at the farmers market most Saturdays throughout the summer...

Local Services

A Style All Its Own

Custom framing connects an artwork’s character with a home’s style. Article by Denise Leslie | Photography by Courtesy of Dwolf Designs Style often lies in the details—the color drawn from a favorite painting, the warmth of weathered wood, or the clean lines of a frame chosen for a contemporary room. For Durango artist and custom framer Deb Wolf, those details transform meaningful artwork, photographs, and keepsakes into thoughtfully designed pieces for the home. At DWolf Designs Fine Art...

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...