La Plata County Courthouse

6th Judicial District

Jury convicts Durango man of sexual assault on child

Brandon Durrschmidt, 40, could spend the rest of his life in prison

December 14, 2023 • Shane Benjamin — Herald Staff Writer

6th Judicial District

Third jury trial begins for Durango man suspected of child sex assault

recent trial ended in hung jury after jurors were unable to reach unanimous decision

December 11, 2023 • Shane Benjamin — Herald Staff Writer

Durango

Court rules legal fees sought by Durango resident John Simpson, his attorney are ‘overstated’

pursuing an appeal with results expected in January

December 10, 2023 • Christian Burney — Herald Staff Writer

6th Judicial District

Mistrial declared in child sex assault trial

Prosecutors mum on whether they plan to refile charges against Durango man

October 19, 2023 • Shane Benjamin — Herald Staff Writer

6th Judicial District

Jurors begin deliberations in child sex assault case

Durango man could spend life in prison if found guilty

October 19, 2023 • Shane Benjamin — Herald Staff Writer

6th Judicial District

Drunken driver in fatal crash, who was traveling about 111 mph, sentenced to prison

Jobe, 35, was speeding on county road southwest of Durango during bachelor party

August 8, 2023 • Shane Benjamin — Herald Staff Writer

6th Judicial District

Texas man sentenced for burglary in La Plata County

Root fired two firearms, damaging floors, ceilings and windows

May 19, 2023 • Leah Veress — Herald Staff Writer

Breaking News

Court orders mobile home park owner in Durango to deliver more water, toilets

Darlene Mann must also reimburse residents for expenses related to outage

February 28, 2023 • Reuben M. Schafir — Herald Staff Writer

La Plata County Courthouse

Lightner Creek Mobile Home Park owner faces lawsuit over rotting bridge

Man’s leg fell through unmarked hole

February 28, 2023 • Reuben M. Schafir — Herald Staff Writer

6th Judicial District

Reid Stewart, who seeks even playing field, is sworn in as La Plata County Court judge

‘I don't take myself very seriously, but I take the process very seriously’

February 25, 2023 • Garret Jaros — Herald Staff Writer

Gov. Jared Polis

Two finalists named for La Plata County Court judgeship position

Colorado governor has 15 days to appoint someone

February 2, 2023 • Garret Jaros — Herald Staff Writer

Courts

Driver who fell asleep causing head-on crash sentenced to probation

of mother killed agree to plea deal

January 28, 2023 • Garret Jaros — Herald Staff Writer

6th Judicial District

Seven applicants apply for latest round to fill La Plata County Court judge opening

invited to submit comments regarding qualifications of candidates

January 26, 2023 • Garret Jaros — Herald Staff Writer

Courts

Ignacio woman sentenced in fatal crash gets 10 months for previous collision

Virginia Cundiff will serve two sentences at same time

December 13, 2022 • Christian Burney — Herald Staff Writer

Court administration

District judge in Durango resigns

issues cited for Todd Norvell’s departure

October 25, 2022 • Garret Jaros — Herald Staff Writer

6th Judicial District

Durango prosecutor seeks to reduce time it takes to resolve criminal cases

dashboard allows public to view local judicial trends

September 23, 2022 • Christian Burney — Herald Staff Writer

Civil

Residents file lawsuit against owner of Vallecito Resort mobile home park

action says owners unlawfully acquired ownership of property, wrongfully terminated leases and tried to push out tenants

September 22, 2022 • Christian Burney — Herald Staff Writer

La Plata County Colorado

Ding-dong, the bell is back on – at least during certain hours of the day

Plata County Courthouse clock tower will chime from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

September 16, 2022 • Megan K. Olsen — Herald Staff Writer

La Plata County Colorado

Clock tower bell to be reactivated after Labor Day

Plata County officials say company may be able to silence chime at night

August 26, 2022 • Shane Benjamin — Herald Staff Writer

6th Judicial District

Farmington man charged with kidnapping, sexual assault

Terrell Hardy is free on $50,000 bail

August 25, 2022 • Christian Burney — Herald Staff Writer

Courts

Ignacio woman accused of killing road worker in car crash pleads ‘not guilty’

denies bail reduction, sets trial date for December

July 14, 2022 • Christian Burney — Herald Staff Writer

Durango

La Plata County silences hourly chime on Courthouse clock tower

noise complaints lead to seasonal experiment

July 13, 2022 • Aedan Hannon — Herald Staff Writer

Courts

Woman accused of killing Farmington man in crash has felony charge dismissed

Virginia Cundiff faces 7 misdemeanor charges

July 2, 2022 • Christian Burney — Herald Staff Writer

6th Judicial District

Longtime prosecutor resigns to pursue private practice

Ottman has been practicing law for 21 years, including 13 with the 6th Judicial District Attorney’s Office in Durango

June 18, 2022 • Christian Burney — Herald Staff Writer