The Durango Herald's year in photos 2025.
The Durango Herald's year in photos 2025.cca
Supporters hug after the Durango School District 9-R board members passed a resolution in January allowing the pride and Black Lives Matter flags to be displayed in schools after the banning of those flags prompted backlash. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald file)
Supporters hug after the Durango School District 9-R board members passed a resolution in January allowing the pride and Black Lives Matter flags to be displayed in schools after the banning of those flags prompted backlash. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald file)cca
Horses, riders and skiers compete in the sport class for the fastest times on the course during Silverton Skijoring in February on Blair Street in Silverton. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald file)
Horses, riders and skiers compete in the sport class for the fastest times on the course during Silverton Skijoring in February on Blair Street in Silverton. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald file)Jerry McBride
The Snowdown Hot Air Balloon Rally on Feb. 1 in the Animas Valley. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald file)
The Snowdown Hot Air Balloon Rally on Feb. 1 in the Animas Valley. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald file)Jerry McBride
Durango Fire Protection District emergency personnel use two Jaws of Life to extricate the driver of a Jeep SUV it collided with a U-Haul truck in March on U.S. Highway 550, 4 miles south of Purgatory Resort. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald file)
Durango Fire Protection District emergency personnel use two Jaws of Life to extricate the driver of a Jeep SUV it collided with a U-Haul truck in March on U.S. Highway 550, 4 miles south of Purgatory Resort. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald file)Jerry McBride
Dancers make their way around Whalen Gymnasium during the The Hozhoni Days Powwow after the Grand Entry in March at Fort Lewis College. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald file)
Dancers make their way around Whalen Gymnasium during the The Hozhoni Days Powwow after the Grand Entry in March at Fort Lewis College. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald file)cca
Protesters link arms as federal agents try to remove them in October at the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement field office in Durango. (Josh Stephenson/Special to the Herald file)
Protesters link arms as federal agents try to remove them in October at the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement field office in Durango. (Josh Stephenson/Special to the Herald file)cca
A protester who was pepper sprayed calls her mother outside a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement field office on Oct. 28 in Durango. (Josh Stephenson/Special to the Herald file)
A protester who was pepper sprayed calls her mother outside a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement field office on Oct. 28 in Durango. (Josh Stephenson/Special to the Herald file)cca
Protesters link arms while federal agents pepper spray them in October at the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement field office in Durango. (Josh Stephenson/Special to the Herald file)
Protesters link arms while federal agents pepper spray them in October at the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement field office in Durango. (Josh Stephenson/Special to the Herald file)cca
Derrick Echevarria operates a Zamboni while resurfacing the ice between hockey games in April at Chapman Hill Ice Rink. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald file)
Derrick Echevarria operates a Zamboni while resurfacing the ice between hockey games in April at Chapman Hill Ice Rink. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald file)cca
An air tanker drops fire retardant on the Rim Road Fire in July burning south of County Road 318 southwest of Ignacio. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald file)
An air tanker drops fire retardant on the Rim Road Fire in July burning south of County Road 318 southwest of Ignacio. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald file)cca
The Rim Road Fire burns in July south of County Road 318 southwest of Ignacio. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald file)
The Rim Road Fire burns in July south of County Road 318 southwest of Ignacio. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald file)cca
William Balfour, 12, plays in the foam cannon at the Durango Community Recreation Center as the center celebrates National Parks & Rec Month in July. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald file)
William Balfour, 12, plays in the foam cannon at the Durango Community Recreation Center as the center celebrates National Parks & Rec Month in July. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald file)cca
Wildland firefighters head out into the Elkhorn Fire from where the fire started at a home under construction in July on Missionary Ridge north of Durango. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald file)
Wildland firefighters head out into the Elkhorn Fire from where the fire started at a home under construction in July on Missionary Ridge north of Durango. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald file)cca
Lillian White, 8, holds her chicken Bubba that she dressed up as popcorn chicken in August during the chicken costume contest at the La Plata County Fair. Lillian won first place. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald file)
Lillian White, 8, holds her chicken Bubba that she dressed up as popcorn chicken in August during the chicken costume contest at the La Plata County Fair. Lillian won first place. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald file)Jerry McBride
Cairo Uentillie, 5, was not thrilled about the first day of school on Aug. 19 at Needham Elementary School. She receives a hug from her mom, Chelsey Uentillie. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)
Cairo Uentillie, 5, was not thrilled about the first day of school on Aug. 19 at Needham Elementary School. She receives a hug from her mom, Chelsey Uentillie. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)cca
Patricia Howell, photographed in the Herald studio on Sept. 11, is a former inmate at the La Plata County jail who was notified she is an alleged victim of the former jail Cmdr. Ed Aber, who faces invasion of privacy charges. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald file)
Patricia Howell, photographed in the Herald studio on Sept. 11, is a former inmate at the La Plata County jail who was notified she is an alleged victim of the former jail Cmdr. Ed Aber, who faces invasion of privacy charges. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald file)cca
Firefighter Chris Canawa, with Upper Pine River Fire Protection District, helps Ron Savage as he evacuates his Vallecito Reservoir home in October as flood water from Vallecito Creek surround his house. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald file)
Firefighter Chris Canawa, with Upper Pine River Fire Protection District, helps Ron Savage as he evacuates his Vallecito Reservoir home in October as flood water from Vallecito Creek surround his house. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald file)cca
Vallecito Creek flows near 6,000 cubic feet per second at the north end of Vallecito Reservoir in October as floodwaters from Vallecito Creek caused the evacuation of about 400 homes in the area. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald file)
Vallecito Creek flows near 6,000 cubic feet per second at the north end of Vallecito Reservoir in October as floodwaters from Vallecito Creek caused the evacuation of about 400 homes in the area. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald file)cca
A boater tries to free his raft in October after getting hung up on debris on the Main Avenue Bridge while rafting a high flowing Animas River. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald file)
A boater tries to free his raft in October after getting hung up on debris on the Main Avenue Bridge while rafting a high flowing Animas River. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald file)cca
Emergency personnel from La Plata County Sheriffs Office, Upper Pine River Fire Protection District and volunteers sandbag a home at the north end of Vallecito Reservoir in October as floodwaters from Vallecito Creek caused the evacuation of about 400 homes. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald file)
Emergency personnel from La Plata County Sheriffs Office, Upper Pine River Fire Protection District and volunteers sandbag a home at the north end of Vallecito Reservoir in October as floodwaters from Vallecito Creek caused the evacuation of about 400 homes. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald file)cca
Brandon Faulkenburg, a part-time resident in north Vallecito, clears debris and diverts water around a neighbor’s home in October during flooding in the area. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald file)
Brandon Faulkenburg, a part-time resident in north Vallecito, clears debris and diverts water around a neighbor’s home in October during flooding in the area. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald file)cca
Logan Mosher, a firefighter with Upper Pine River Fire Protection District, talks in October about the decision to demolish a house before it could be swept away by Vallecito Creek, creating additional problems downstream. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald file)
Logan Mosher, a firefighter with Upper Pine River Fire Protection District, talks in October about the decision to demolish a house before it could be swept away by Vallecito Creek, creating additional problems downstream. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald file)cca
Elizabeth Petry, sits by the Animas River in September thinking back when was booked into the La Plata County Jail and is now an alleged victim of former jail Cmdr. Ed Aber, who is suspected of invasion of privacy charges. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald file)
Elizabeth Petry, sits by the Animas River in September thinking back when was booked into the La Plata County Jail and is now an alleged victim of former jail Cmdr. Ed Aber, who is suspected of invasion of privacy charges. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald file)cca
Candles and phones glow in Durango’ Rotary Park during the Charlie Kirk vigil in September. More than three hundred people attended the event. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald file)
Candles and phones glow in Durango’ Rotary Park during the Charlie Kirk vigil in September. More than three hundred people attended the event. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald file)cca
McKenzie Kuehnert, 4, shows her empty hand to her mom, Michelle, as she and her sister Bexley, 2, being held by her dad, Mark, feed alfalfa pellets to Moon, being ridden by Patty Ann Rager as her husband, Donald Rager, helps out in October during the Durango Cowboy Gathering Horseback Social on Main Avenue in Downtown Durango. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald file)
McKenzie Kuehnert, 4, shows her empty hand to her mom, Michelle, as she and her sister Bexley, 2, being held by her dad, Mark, feed alfalfa pellets to Moon, being ridden by Patty Ann Rager as her husband, Donald Rager, helps out in October during the Durango Cowboy Gathering Horseback Social on Main Avenue in Downtown Durango. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald file)Jerry McBride
Katalina Capalbo, 12, gives Woody a bath before the Junior Livestock Show in August at the La Plata County Fair. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald file)
Katalina Capalbo, 12, gives Woody a bath before the Junior Livestock Show in August at the La Plata County Fair. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald file)Jerry McBride
A helicopter drops water July 27 on the Elkhorn Fire burning on Missionary Ridge north of Durango. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald file)
A helicopter drops water July 27 on the Elkhorn Fire burning on Missionary Ridge north of Durango. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald file)cca
A helicopter drops water July 27 on the Elkhorn Fire burning on Missionary Ridge north of Durango. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald file)
A helicopter drops water July 27 on the Elkhorn Fire burning on Missionary Ridge north of Durango. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald file)cca
Scotlyn Bobbin, 3, holds her lamb while participating in Pee Wee Showmanship in August during the La Plata County Fair. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald file)
Scotlyn Bobbin, 3, holds her lamb while participating in Pee Wee Showmanship in August during the La Plata County Fair. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald file)Jerry McBride

Colorado Outback Adventure guide Ashton Dorathy navigates his boat through the rocks on the low-flowing Animas River on Aug. 14 in Durango. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald file)
Colorado Outback Adventure guide Ashton Dorathy navigates his boat through the rocks on the low-flowing Animas River on Aug. 14 in Durango. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald file)Jerry McBride
Working the High Country Cattle Auction from left, Cortni Cox; Becky Hawkins, auctioneer; Shane Hatch; and Duane Cugini as buyers look over cattle in the ring on Sept. 23 in Breen southwest of Durango. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald file)
Working the High Country Cattle Auction from left, Cortni Cox; Becky Hawkins, auctioneer; Shane Hatch; and Duane Cugini as buyers look over cattle in the ring on Sept. 23 in Breen southwest of Durango. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald file)cca
Judy Blaisdell whips the king, her husband Bob Blaisdell, during the No Kings Day rally Oct. 18 in front of the Bayfield Town Hall. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald file)
Judy Blaisdell whips the king, her husband Bob Blaisdell, during the No Kings Day rally Oct. 18 in front of the Bayfield Town Hall. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald file)Jerry McBride
Tourists snap photos of the snow-covered San Juan Mountains on Tuesday from the Molas Pass Overlook on U. S. Highway 550. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald file)
Tourists snap photos of the snow-covered San Juan Mountains on Tuesday from the Molas Pass Overlook on U. S. Highway 550. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald file)Jerry McBride
James Ranch cattle feed on mixed pasture grass June 24 north of Durango. At the time, the grass was thick and a few feet tall thanks to a wet spring. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald file)
James Ranch cattle feed on mixed pasture grass June 24 north of Durango. At the time, the grass was thick and a few feet tall thanks to a wet spring. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald file)cca
A rattlesnake used by Professional dog trainer Terry Chandler during a Rattlesnake Avoidance Clinic hosted by the Durango Kennel Club in June in Ignacio. About 140 people with their dogs signed up for the clinic. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald file)
A rattlesnake used by Professional dog trainer Terry Chandler during a Rattlesnake Avoidance Clinic hosted by the Durango Kennel Club in June in Ignacio. About 140 people with their dogs signed up for the clinic. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald file)Jerry McBride
Not letting his kids have all the fun, Bill Smith flies off a jump March 14 while sledding at Buckley Park in Durango. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald file)
Not letting his kids have all the fun, Bill Smith flies off a jump March 14 while sledding at Buckley Park in Durango. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald file)Jerry McBride
La Plata Electric Association crews and Wasatch Electric work on upgrading the power lines in February along U.S. Highway 550 north of Durango. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald file)
La Plata Electric Association crews and Wasatch Electric work on upgrading the power lines in February along U.S. Highway 550 north of Durango. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald file)cca
Durango Fire Protection District emergency personnel and the Flight For Life crew take the driver of a Jeep SUV to the helicopter. The Jeep collided with U-Haul truck March 5 on U.S. Highway 550, 4 miles south of Purgatory Resort. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald file)
Durango Fire Protection District emergency personnel and the Flight For Life crew take the driver of a Jeep SUV to the helicopter. The Jeep collided with U-Haul truck March 5 on U.S. Highway 550, 4 miles south of Purgatory Resort. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald file)Jerry McBride
A common merganser flies past a kayaker in the Durango Whitewater Park on May 13 as flows topped out at 1,810 cubic feet per second. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald file)
A common merganser flies past a kayaker in the Durango Whitewater Park on May 13 as flows topped out at 1,810 cubic feet per second. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald file)cca
Heather and Wayne Houk stand in front of their home south of Durango in January. They were forced out of their home after a 23,000-gallon gasoline spill next to their property back in December, which contaminated their well water. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald file)
Heather and Wayne Houk stand in front of their home south of Durango in January. They were forced out of their home after a 23,000-gallon gasoline spill next to their property back in December, which contaminated their well water. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald file)cca
An inmate is escorted through the booking area Jan. 16 in the La Plata County Jail. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald file)
An inmate is escorted through the booking area Jan. 16 in the La Plata County Jail. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald file)
Terry Gypsy Woody in his tent on a city-owned lot next to the Espero Apartments in west Durango was notified in January that he had to move. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald file)
Terry Gypsy Woody in his tent on a city-owned lot next to the Espero Apartments in west Durango was notified in January that he had to move. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald file)cca
Snow falls in Durango on Jan. 29 bringing much-needed moisture to the area. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald file)
Snow falls in Durango on Jan. 29 bringing much-needed moisture to the area. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald file)cca
Heather Shotton, incoming Fort Lewis College president, takes a selfie with graduates behind her on May 3 during the commencement ceremony in Whalen Gym. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald file)
Heather Shotton, incoming Fort Lewis College president, takes a selfie with graduates behind her on May 3 during the commencement ceremony in Whalen Gym. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald file)Jerry McBride
Three wolf dog hybrids in a quarantine kennel Jan. 30 at Wolfwood Refuge near Ignacio. Wolfwood took in several wolf dogs and puppies that were being abused at an Ohio farm. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald file)
Three wolf dog hybrids in a quarantine kennel Jan. 30 at Wolfwood Refuge near Ignacio. Wolfwood took in several wolf dogs and puppies that were being abused at an Ohio farm. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald file)cca