Vallecito

Emergency incident

Two men rescued while kayaking on Vallecito Reservoir

One man sent to hospital in critical condition with hypothermia

March 16, 2026 • Jessica Bowman — Herald Staff Writer

Local News

High winds batter Vallecito, down power lines

50 mph gusts raise wildfire risk and hinder kayak rescue on reservoir

March 16, 2026 • Jessica Bowman — Herald Staff Writer

Flood

Community Foundation pledges flood recovery match for Vallecito

$15,000 in matching funds aims to support road repairs after October flooding

February 1, 2026 • Jessica Bowman — Herald Staff Writer

Local News

Upper Pine Fire receives federal grant for Vallecito flood recovery

Up to $5 million will support remediation efforts; property owners must pay a percentage

December 29, 2025 • Scout Edmondson — Herald Staff Writer

Emergency incident

Flood response highlights La Plata County’s emergency preparedness

Officials credit planning, drills and new tech for swift action

November 29, 2025 • Jessica Bowman — Herald Staff Writer

Flood

35-foot-tall logjam is blocking Vallecito Creek; removal is critical to flood recovery

Firefighters propose using fire or explosives to clear blockage

November 27, 2025 • Jessica Bowman — Herald Staff Writer

Contests

This Vallecito couple wants to make La Plata County a hot-spot for gay weddings

‘Gay couples have money. Money helps our local economy,’ co-owner of Cinder and Pine Weddings says

November 25, 2025 • Jessica Bowman — Herald Staff Writer

Disaster (general)

For Vallecito residents, cooperation is a must for successful post-flood recovery

Creek channel bore brunt of damage; fixing it will cost millions

November 23, 2025 • Jessica Bowman — Herald Staff Writer

Disaster (general)

Lawmakers show bipartisan support for disaster declaration in Southwest Colorado

Days of intense rainfall triggered widespread flooding, property damage in mid-October

November 18, 2025 • Jessica Bowman — Herald Staff Writer

Agriculture

New geodesic greenhouse aims to ease food insecurity in Vallecito

Year-round production expected to feed 20 to 30 residents

October 24, 2025 • Jessica Bowman — Herald Staff Writer

Climate

What role does climate change play in extreme weather events like flooding at Vallecito?

Fall floods not uncommon, but severity can be made worse by warming atmosphere, scientists say

October 21, 2025 • Scout Edmondson — Herald Staff Writer

Local News

Hot tub rescued from Vallecito Reservoir

After being washed away, the ‘S.S. Tubbie’ returns to shore

October 20, 2025 • Scout Edmondson — Herald Staff Writer

Durango

Flooding by the numbers: 9.5 inches of rain, 84 tons of sand, and 250 pizzas and sandwiches

Storm totals include more than rainfall and river flows

October 18, 2025 • Elizabeth Pond — Herald Staff Writer

Durango

How the Vallecito event compares to the devastating flood of 1911

‘It's good to see the extremes,’ meteorologist says

October 17, 2025 • Christian Burney — Herald Staff Writer

Local News

Southwest Colorado residents affected by floods eligible for housing, tax assistance

State and private entities offering aid while community recovers

October 17, 2025 • Scout Edmondson — Herald Staff Writer

Flood

Evacuations lifted for northern Vallecito

Returning residents urged to be cautious amid lingering hazards

October 16, 2025 • Scout Edmondson — Herald Staff Writer

Headlines

Photos: Vallecito flooding aftermath

Leo Martinez, with McCarty Excavation & Construction at Vallecito Reservoir, builds a levee to keep Vallecito Creek from additional flooding…

October 16, 2025 • Jerry McBride — Herald Photo Editor

Flood

‘It’s going to be weeks until this place resembles what it used to’

First responders work to get evacuees back home, urge extreme caution to returning residents in Vallecito

October 14, 2025 • Scout Edmondson — Herald Staff Writer

La Plata County Colorado

Vallecito evacuation orders remain in place Sunday

'We may need to find somewhere to stay tonight,’ evacuee says

October 12, 2025 • Christian Burney — Herald Staff Writer

Emergency incident

Vallecito residents seek shelter from floodwaters: ‘We decided it was time to get out’

More than 380 homes evacuated; La Plata County declares local disaster

October 11, 2025 • Christian Burney — Herald Staff Writer

Local News

AT&T restores cell service in Vallecito Lake

Residents were without coverage for eight days

August 27, 2025 • Scout Edmondson — Herald Staff Writer

Local News

Vallecito Lake residents report eight days without AT&T cellphone service

Customers unsure of when coverage will return

August 27, 2025 • Scout Edmondson — Herald Staff Writer