Land use

Local News

U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet co-sponsors bill to block public lands sell-offs

Thousands of acres in La Plata County were eligible for sale in an initial 2025 budget draft

April 30, 2026

Local News

Elhi community center in Ignacio faces uncertain future as clock ticks down on building’s life span

is a vital resource for health, literacy, education and inspiration

April 29, 2026

Local News

Planning commission approves bid to reinstate major land-use permitting in Animas Valley

Plata County commissioners will have final say

April 25, 2026

Local News

La Plata County adopts new wildfire resiliency code

State-mandated regulations aim to reduce fire risk; some worry rules will increase construction costs

March 24, 2026

Local News

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

Local News

San Juan Citizen’s Alliance executive director to step down after 30 years

Pearson reflects on three decades of public lands advocacy

March 8, 2026

Local News

La Plata County commissioners reject citizen group’s criticism of staff

Rights Project says attorney has too much sway

February 20, 2026

Local News

Dolores River conservation act clears Senate committee

Bennet, Hickenlooper bill still needs House sponsor

December 22, 2025

Local News

‘Code Rights Project’ to investigate La Plata County planning, building departments

‘Why does it take so long to get something done ... relative to the rest of the state?’ organizer asks

July 14, 2025

Local News

Southern Ute Growth Fund makes $6.3 million land purchase along La Posta Road

eyes Lake Nighthorse water for future industrial use

July 10, 2025

Local News

$50,000 grant awarded to preserve wetlands along Animas River

Plata Open Space Conservancy received funds to finance conservation easement for 67-acre property north of Durango

June 30, 2025

Associated Press

GOP plan to sell more than 3,200 square miles of federal lands is found to violate Senate rules

FILE – Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, Chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, speaks during the confirmation hearing…

June 24, 2025

Local News

Public lands in Southwest Colorado could be up for sale

budget bill puts recreational areas like Animas Mountain at stake

June 18, 2025

Local News

Colorado senators reintroduce bill for Dolores River National Conservation Area

Legislation aims to preserve ecological conditions while honoring existing water and land rights

May 26, 2025

Regional News

New law allows state land board to consider recreation, conservation

is to balance more diverse values with mandate to generate funds for schools

May 14, 2025

Outdoors

White House to reverse rule promoting conservation on BLM land

Lands Act put restoration on equal footing with ranching and drilling

April 21, 2025

Local News

Colorado wants fire-resistant houses, but La Plata County says enforcement will be costly

Proposed wildfire code could also drive up rural building costs

April 20, 2025

Local News

Durango Mesa Park Foundation to convey 392 acres to city for park preservation

serves as open space that connects to BLM land

April 17, 2025

Local News

Sen. Bennet chalks wins – and misses – for Southwest Colorado

senator has tackled public lands bills, television markets and FLC tuition waiver

April 11, 2025

Local News

Outgoing La Plata County planning commissioners reflect on ‘an amazing human process’

Malandra and Charly Minkler have left the regulatory body after nine years of service

February 24, 2025

Regional News

Trump picks oil and gas advocate from Colorado to lead Bureau of Land Management

Kathleen Sgamma now leads Denver-based trade group Western Energy Alliance

February 13, 2025

Gulliford's Travels

Utah’s potential land grab: A new fight for the West begins

Arch Canyon in Bears Ears National Monument is on Bureau of Land Management Land. This dramatic canyon landscape was once…

January 10, 2025

Outdoors

National Park Service kills controversial plan to ban climbing bolts in wilderness areas

sought to allow local land managers to classify anchors as ‘permanent installations’

December 19, 2024

Local News

Colorado lawmakers work to protect Dolores River Canyon by end of year

Republicans oppose Biden designating area a national monument

December 7, 2024