La Plata County Courthouse

Courts

Plea hearing delayed for former jail commander accused of invasion of privacy

Attorneys continue negotiations in case involving 117 counts

February 3, 2026 • Elizabeth Pond — Herald Staff Writer

6th Judicial District

Doug Reynolds sworn in as La Plata County Court judge

Litigants may not always agree with decisions, but they should feel heard, he says

January 31, 2026 • Scout Edmondson — Herald Staff Writer

6th Judicial District

Durango man found guilty of second-degree murder in motel shooting

Prosecutors said killing was deliberate; defense claimed self-defense

December 23, 2025 • Elizabeth Pond — Herald Staff Writer

6th Judicial District

Colorado governor appoints next La Plata County judge

Douglas Reynolds to be sworn in Jan. 16

December 23, 2025 • Jessica Bowman — Herald Staff Writer

6th Judicial District

Judge finalists selected for San Juan, La Plata counties

Gov. Jared Polis has until Dec. 17 to appoint positions

December 3, 2025 • Scout Edmondson — Herald Staff Writer

6th Judicial District

Kim Shropshire to serve as Colorado 6th Judicial District chief judge

finalists in running for judgeship

October 21, 2025 • Scout Edmondson — Herald Staff Writer

6th Judicial District

Archuleta County, Colorado 6th Judicial District looking to fill judge vacancies

Judicial nominating committee will meet in Durango on Oct. 15 to consider candidates

October 7, 2025 • Scout Edmondson — Herald Staff Writer

6th Judicial District

Six apply for 6th Judicial District Court judgeship

comments accepted by email through Wednesday

July 24, 2025 • Jessica Bowman — Herald Staff Writer

Durango

La Plata County Court officials address reports of ICE in courthouse

‘There was no interaction with anybody other than ... normal course of business’

July 19, 2025 • Christian Burney — Herald Staff Writer

Arrest

Hermosa man arrested on suspicion of shooting his longtime girlfriend

Suspect says gunshot was accidental, self-inflicted

July 15, 2025 • Elizabeth Pond — Herald Staff Writer

6th Judicial District

Richard Schmittel sworn in as new La Plata County Court judge

judge was appointed by Colorado Lt. Gov. and will serve the people

July 11, 2025 • Scout Edmondson — Herald Staff Writer

6th Judicial District

District Judge Suzanne Carlson to retire after 13 years on bench in Durango

6th Judicial District Nominating Commission to interview applicants Aug. 4; position to be filled by Oct. 1

June 17, 2025 • Jessica Bowman — Herald Staff Writer

6th Judicial District

Former La Plata County prosecutor returns as judge

Lewis graduate, now a Westminster attorney, appointed to bench

June 10, 2025 • Jessica Bowman — Herald Staff Writer

6th Judicial District

Arizona man sentenced for child sex assault in Silverton

Saunders allowed to post bail during appeal, upsetting prosecutors and victim

May 23, 2025 • Christian Burney — Herald Staff Writer

6th Judicial District

Lawyers rally at La Plata County Courthouse to defend Constitution, rule of law

250 people gather for national ‘Law Day’

May 1, 2025 • Jessica Bowman — Herald Staff Writer

Durango

Judge declines to dismiss city’s lawsuit against Durango watchdog

Trial scheduled to begin Sept. 5 According to the city of Durango, 125 vacation rentals are active across the city.…

May 1, 2025 • Christian Burney — Herald Staff Writer

Crime

Durango man sentenced for assault, escape from La Plata County Jail

Buck’s prison terms to be served concurrently with federal case

September 30, 2024 • Tyler Brown — Herald Staff Writer

Courts

Durango man sentenced for indecent exposure

Martinez, 31, received two years probation for illicit behavior at downtown business

August 1, 2024 • Nathan Metcalf

6th Judicial District

Judge rejects plea deal in Durango hit-and-run case

Agreement sought to give driver up to 90 days in jail after leaving scene of crash

March 20, 2024 • Tyler Brown — Herald Staff Writer

Arrest

Man arrested in connection with sprinkling white powder on Durango buildings

Morrison, 52, allegedly seen on video purchasing 10-pound bags of baking soda

March 4, 2024 • Shane Benjamin — Herald Staff Writer

Immigration

The end of a long road: 13 new citizens naturalized in Durango

Immigrants from Cambodia, Germany, Mexico and Russia gathered Thursday for a formal ceremony

March 2, 2024 • Reuben M. Schafir — Herald Staff Writer

Crime

Durango police investigate suspicious white powder spread around buildings

Courthouse and police station were closed Tuesday morning

February 13, 2024 • Shane Benjamin — Herald Staff Writer

History

150 years of La Plata County

county commemorates its sesquicentennial anniversary Saturday

February 9, 2024 • Reuben M. Schafir — Herald Staff Writer

Courts

Jury trial begins for La Plata County man suspected of murder

‘Nico’ Tonelli is accused of fatally shooting his close friend Jamison ‘Jmoe’ McMaster after contentious night

January 11, 2024 • Shane Benjamin — Herald Staff Writer