Fired up
When it comes to supporting firefighters, local residents are all on board. Tuesday night, residents voted overwhelmingly in favor of a tax increase for the Durango Fire Protection District, with 73 percent of city voters and 70 percent of county voters saying yes.
Almost 4,000 city residents and 4,800 county residents voted on the issue. The measure, which will go into effect in 2018, will raise personal property taxes by 2.5 mills, an increase of $72 per year for a home assessed at $400,000.
It is the first tax increase for the fire district, which serves a large swath from San Juan County, Colo., to the New Mexico border, since 1997. Over that time, the workload for Durango Fire and Rescue has increased exponentially, going from just under 4,000 calls in 2012 to more than 5,500 so far this year.
The tax will bring in $3 million a year to help pay for equipment, capital projects and staff, including 24 more full-time first responders. The proposed new downtown fire station is being funded separately.
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- 05/28/2026
- Quick 'n' Dirty
- By Missy Votel
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Help for the Demon Bridge, Highway 550 N closure, and fire mitigation falls off
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- 05/28/2026
- Getting crafty
- By Haylee May / Colorado Public Radio
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Colorado brewers buck national trend by adapting to changing times
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- 05/21/2026
- Taming the ART
- By Missy Votel
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City chooses education, striping over speed limit on River Trail
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- 05/21/2026
- Planned Parenthood reopens
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PPRM president credits local community in getting clinic running again
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- Short legs, big party
- 05/28/2026
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On most days, Tracy Harwood spends her time as a court clerk for the City of Durango. But next Thurs., June 4 – International Corgi Day – she hopes to bring something entirely different to town: short legs, wiggly butts and oversized personalities.
- River cowboy
- 05/21/2026
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It’s a mash-up made in Westernwear heaven. Sort of. Seems Chaco, the purveyor of the iconic strappy dirtbag river rat footwear, has joined forces with Wrangler, as in tight jeans, big belt buckles, bull riding and snap shirt fame.
- Making plans
- 05/14/2026
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Wondering what’s up with the old 9-R Admin building at the end of E. 2nd Avenue that was going to be a fire department, then wasn’t going to be a fire department and is now going to be City Hall and the Police Department?The City of Durango will demystify plans for the historic building during a public session Wed., May 20, 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Durango Recreation Center.
- Going for the gold
- 04/30/2026
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Turns out, blondes do have more fun, or at least they get more awards. Last week, Ska Brewing won the gold medal for its True Blonde Ale in the English-Style Pale Ale category at the 2026 World Beer Cup. This is the third win for the Blonde at the World Beer Cup, held in Philadelphia on April 22 and pegged as one of the world’s most prestigious beer competitions.