Headlines

Economy (general)

Thin snow strains Silverton businesses as local leaders look to adapt

Town’s summer tourism-based economy took a heavier hit than usual this winter

March 23, 2026 • Jessica Bowman — Herald Staff Writer

Energy

LPEA announces upcoming regional energy future forum

Event will investigate reliability, regional collaboration, evolving power landscape

March 22, 2026 • Elizabeth Pond — Herald Staff Writer

Agriculture

Photos: Springtime calving

Wayne Semler releases a day-old Angus calf back to its very worried mother on Saturday after placing a tag in…

March 21, 2026 • Jerry McBride — Herald Photo Editor

Colorado 3rd Congressional District

Rep. Jeff Hurd regains Trump endorsement despite recent disagreements

Hope Scheppelman drops out of CD-3 race, clearing the path for Hurd

March 21, 2026 • Jacob Mittleman — Herald Staff Writer

Death and dying

Mercy Hospice House reopens after five month hiatus

‘We are delighted to, as promised, once again offer a dedicated inpatient hospice unit,’ hospital president says

March 21, 2026 • Elizabeth Pond — Herald Staff Writer

Conservation

Durango High School course supplies on-the-ground conservation education to students

‘It’s just made the experience a little more fun,’ student says

March 21, 2026 • Elizabeth Pond — Herald Staff Writer

Animas River

Southwest Colorado prepares to rein in water use

‘The outlook for this year is grim,’ said Ken Beck, superintendent of Pine River Irrigation District

March 21, 2026 • Jessica Bowman — Herald Staff Writer

Alpine skiing

Mountain Capital Partners’ $37.5 million commitment to be partially allotted to Purgatory upgrades

Funding to go to new Gelande Lift, snowmaking, Lift 1 system

March 20, 2026 • Elizabeth Pond — Herald Staff Writer

Business (general)

Birthday cake truffles being pulled from Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory shelves

Product does not pose health threat to customers, CEO says

March 20, 2026 • Elizabeth Pond — Herald Staff Writer

Bayfield

Meet Bayfield’s police chief finalists

Sean Dugan and Tony Hobbs both bring experience in law enforcement

March 20, 2026 • Scout Edmondson — Herald Staff Writer

Human interest

Durango couple continues lifelong friendship in assisted living

‘We’ve been able to adjust together,’ Sunshine Gardens pair says

March 20, 2026 • Elizabeth Pond — Herald Staff Writer

Durango City Council

Could higher garbage collection fees curb human and bear conflicts in Durango?

Councilors consider combination of education and enforcement

March 19, 2026 • Christian Burney — Herald Staff Writer

Crime

Police arrest suspect south of Durango Mall after manhunt

Man’s arrest connected to stolen vehicle

March 19, 2026 • Christian Burney — Herald Staff Writer

Colorado Legislature

Two Colorado bills aim to accelerate, regulate social media response to alarming posts

Legislation presented in part to reduce gun violence on school campuses

March 19, 2026 • Elizabeth Pond — Herald Staff Writer

Colorado Department of Transportation

Roadwork on U.S. Highway 160 between Walmart and Elmore’s Corner to begin Monday

Project will take place mostly at night and is expected to wrap up in November

March 19, 2026 • Scout Edmondson — Herald Staff Writer

Fire

La Plata County to take tougher approach on fire risk in Forest Lakes

Officials say violations in Unit 3 will face enforcement and possible legal action

March 19, 2026 • Jessica Bowman — Herald Staff Writer

Fire

Controlled burn targets more than 200 acres northwest of Bayfield

Additional prescribed fires scheduled for Dolores, San Miguel counties through May

March 18, 2026 • Elizabeth Pond — Herald Staff Writer

Durango School District 9-R

Durango School District paints bleak local, statewide budget outlook

Finance director cites enrollment losses, funding shifts and deficit concerns

March 18, 2026 • Elizabeth Pond — Herald Staff Writer

Buddhism

Gaden Shartse Buddhist monks will return to Durango before going home to India

Monastics were touched by community reception during November visit

March 18, 2026 • Scout Edmondson — Herald Staff Writer

Colorado Department of Transportation

Photos: Rocking it on Colorado Highway 3

Workers with Apex Rockfall Mitigation reinstall two metal beams and a metal curtain that catches falling rock Tuesday above Colorado…

March 18, 2026 • Jerry McBride — Herald Photo Editor

Bayfield High School

Bayfield High School students win big in robotics, animatronics

Self-designed projects catch attention among competitors’ kit-made creations at state championship

March 18, 2026 • Elizabeth Pond — Herald Staff Writer

Fire

Crews extinguish small fire northwest of Hermosa

1-acre blaze started on a hillside, moved into a drainage filled with dead, standing trees

March 18, 2026 • Jessica Bowman — Herald Staff Writer

Business (general)

Atmos Energy proposes gas rate increase

Base hike would cost customers more than $5 more per month

March 18, 2026 • Elizabeth Pond — Herald Staff Writer

Budgets and budgeting

How is La Plata County putting 1A tax dollars to work?

Roughly $10 million in additional revenue has gone toward deficit, public safety, and road and bridge

March 17, 2026 • Jessica Bowman — Herald Staff Writer