gains A win-win for offsetting costs and keeping power on in natural disasters by Andrew Carpenter/ Writers on the Range 10
Cautionary tale
Remembering Octavia Butler’s prophetic words this Earth Day by Maddy Gleason
A “choose your own adventure” of Trump’s executive declarations by Addyson Santese 9 Playing together On the magic of husband-and-wife musical duo Robin and Jimi Davis by Stephen Sellers On the cover The blooming trees in downtown Durango are going off right now, to the chagrin of allergy sufferers but the delight of others./ Photo by Missy Votel
“I started eating dairy again, and my farts are back to comedic levels.”
– We’re guessing it’s not so comedic for those within smelling distance
Let there be dirt
The return of trails season to area BLM lands came a few weeks early this year. On Tues., April 15, the BLM, in coordination with CPW, announced it was lifting winter wildlife closures on trails on Grandview Ridge and Animas City Mountain. This was a full two weeks earlier than the anticipated opening on May 1.
“This year, there isn’t much snow at low to mid-elevations. This has provided more areas for deer and elk to move into without being constricted with snow,” Colorado Parks and Wildlife Biologist Brad Weinmeister said. However, he added, people are encouraged to keep their dogs on leash to protect wildlife that is still in the area.
Trails now open for your hiking and biking pleasure include Sale Barn, South Rim, Big Canyon, Cowboy, Sidewinder, Skull Rock and Crites, as well as all Animas City Mountain Trails. Please note, however, the closure on north Animas City Mountain will remain in effect until July 31 to protect nesting Peregrin falcons.
No bread and booze
Liquor stores in Colorado can breathe a sigh of relief – for now. Last week, Gov. Jared Polis signed a bill halting expansion of hard liquor sales into grocery and big-box stores
Known as Senate Bill 33, it was drafted in response to the recent expansion of beer and wine sales in grocery stores, which has dramatically reduced sales for independent alcohol retailers. Right now, Colorado law limits the number of grocery stores that can sell hard liquor, but that is set to phase out starting in 2037. Currently, 36 grocery and big-box stores sell liquor in Colorado.
Chris Carran, of the Colorado Independent Liquor Store Association, said in a written statement that liquor stores still face headwinds, but SB 33 gives them a “lifeline.” Supporters of the bill worried Polis might veto it given his reluctance to meddle in free market business. In a statement, Polis said he has “serious concerns that this legislation takes Colorado’s liquor laws backward, not forward.” He said he hopes both sides can work together to find a lasting compromise. Nevertheless, Polis said the overwhelming legislative support for Senate Bill 33 led him to sign the measure into law. Colorado grocery, convenience and bigbox stores started selling full-strength beer in 2019. Wine sales followed in 2023. This story was produced by the Colorado Capitol News Alliance. It first appeared at colorado sun.com.
LaVidaLocal
Choose your own executive order
START: What a beautiful day to be king – ahem, president – of the free(ish) world! You’ve woken up refreshed thanks to the CPAP machine you definitely don’t need because, as your annual physical just declared, you’re definitely not obese, so now you’re ready to get to work, definitely not stripping your fellow Americans of their basic human rights. But before you start signing executive orders with a massive Sharpie that only accentuates the underdeveloped, toddler-like shape and size of your puny hands, you have to decide which orders to pass. This begins with one question: which side of the bed did you wake up on?
If right, continue to Section A. If left, continue to Section P.
Section A: The picture of health, you hork down two Big Macs, two Filet-o-Fish, fries and a large chocolate shake, then hit the office. Not the Oval Office, obviously, but the greens. This leads you to your next decision: which of your resorts should you blow millions in taxpayer dollars to visit today?
To go to Trump International Golf Club, continue to Section B. To go to Trump National Golf Club, continue to Section C. To go to Trump National Doral, continue to Section D.
Section B: Look, golfing is – your genes for golfing are very good, OK, very good, some of the best –in fact, Tiger Woods couldn’t golf half as good as you – it’s true! – but when you’re a conservative Republican, you’re up one shot – now it used to be three, now it’s four – the liberals, OK, the liberals, they want to make you look bad, but – (remainder of quote redacted for time and clarity. You scored 103 on a par-72 18-hole course).
To blame your poor golf score on DEI and wokeness, continue to Section E. To blame the scorecard,
Thumbin’It
FLC, where nearly 24% of the student body identifies as Native American, has its first Indigenous president, Heather Shotton, a citizen of the Wichita and Affiliated Tribes.
Harvard and other private universities protecting academic freedom and principles by giving the middle finger to Trump’s strong-arm tactics to withhold funding until they cave to his demands on who and what they can teach. We’re no Harvard scholars, but this seems to be about more than rooting out antisemitism.
continue to Section F. To blame the sun in your eyes, continue to Section G.
Section C: The course is beautiful today, but something feels sadly missing. A friend, perhaps? You snap a quick quadruple-chinned selfie, bump up the HDR saturation to make that Day-Glo orange really pop, then send a Signal chat to your BFF Putin with the message: wish u were here <3. Minutes pass. No reply. What do you do?
To brush it off, continue to Section H. To experience an appropriate emotional response, continue to Section P.
Section D: Swing the club. If you bogey, continue to Section I. If you birdie, continue to Section J.
Section E: The woke mob has gone too far! They’re taking over everything – the genders, the bathrooms, even your golf scores! Something must be done.
To focus on anti-wokeness, continue to Section K. To end wokeness forever, continue to Section P.
Section F: EXECUTIVE ORDER! Any system that ensures fairness, rules or promotes objective truth is bad! Eliminate all checks and balances, starting immediately with the Supreme Court. Let’s see you score anything over a 68 now!
Section G: EXECUTIVE ORDER! Blow up the sun. It ruined your golf swing, so it must be eliminated using SpaceX technology or whatever other wacky Nazi stuff Elon is developing.
Piggyback your own success of detonating the sun by continuing to Section P.
Section H: Your beautiful selfie reminded you of how many ugly people there are in the world. Ugh. Disgusting! Surely something must be done to make our country hot again?
To focus on beautifying women, continue to Section L. To beautify national parks, continue to Section M. To beautify the general population, continue to Section N.
Section I: EXECUTIVE ORDER! Impose tariffs,
Just in time for Earth Day, Durango broke a 65-year-old heat record last week, hitting 78 degrees on April 10. Anyone else a little nervous for summer?
Purg is installing the new Gelande lift this summer, which will hopefully alleviate morning traffic chaos. (Sorry folks, the bike park will be closed this summer –you’ll have to huck your meat elsewhere.)
And speaking of Trump’s strong-arm tactics, he is also threatening to cut funding for the “radical left monsters” at NPR and PBS that “so badly hurt our country.” We only see one radical monster hurting the country, and it’s not Steve Inskeep or Daniel Tiger.
Apparently, Trump-appointed U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon confused artificial intelligence (AI) with A1, the steak sauce, in a viral speech this week. No, really – no one is that stupid ... are they?
and immediately return to Section D.
Section J: EXECUTIVE ORDER! Reverse all tariffs, and immediately return to Section D.
Section K: EXECUTIVE ORDER! Alternative milks like oat, soy and almond are a ploy by the libs to leech strength from our strong bones that may or may not have spurs. Make America Healthy Again! Ban all milks that don’t come directly from a cow’s udder. Teet to table!
Section L: EXECUTIVE ORDER! All women who undergo any cosmetic surgery to look more appealing in the rheumy eyes of the president will receive tax cuts. The more plastic in your body, the more beautiful you become. (Kristi Noem will be handsomely compensated.)
Section M: EXECUTIVE ORDER! A hundred years ago, the government decided to carve up a sacred granite mountain with the faces of Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt and Lincoln, but you know what would look a lot better? Four of you. Have the monument redone ASAP. Ensure sculptors incorporate lots of bronzer.
Section N: As you consider how to beautify the general population, one group sticks out to you like a sore thumb. The elderly. They serve no aesthetic purpose, you don’t want to have nonconsensual sex with them, and they suck up the country’s money with their entitlemed. What to do, what to do? To fix this blight on society, continue to Section L or Section O.
Section O: EXECUTIVE ORDER! Eliminate Social Security. If old people don’t have money to survive, maybe they’ll all just die, right? That will solve your problem of being forced to look at an aging woman ever again and simultaneously deal with everyone’s whinging about tariffs and the volatile stock market. Suck it up, geriatrics!
Section P: EXECUTIVE ORDER! Declare nuclear war.
– Addyson Santese
SignoftheDownfall:
Charcuterie Chord
Eventbrite conducted a study showing that 95% of people want experiences that “bring their online interests into real life,” which really makes one worry about the other 5%. But the study also revealed that 79% of people want events that “blend multiple experiences,” so Eventbrite made the totally logical choice to hire Queer Eye’s Antoni Porowski to throw a “Cheese Rave” on April 17 in NYC. And yes, it’s exactly what it sounds like: a mashup between an underground dance party and a curated cheese tasting that’ll last until 1 a.m. They tried to come up with a catchy title, because other concerts have found success with names like “Farm Aid,” but Eventbrite landed on “Cheese Rave” because Lactaid was already taken.
WritersontheRange
Net gains
Net metering, solar battery storage win-win for offsetting costs, unplanned outages
by Andrew Carpenter
I’d never heard of “net metering” until my electric bill hit $600 last February. Desperate for a way to reduce utility costs that skyrocket in the winter because we use electric heaters, I started getting quotes for rooftop solar power.
That’s when I learned about a state law that requires Colorado utilities to credit homeowners who send power back to the grid at the same rate they would pay to buy power from the power company. This “net metering” policy made adding solar to my home a good investment. Even though we didn’t add batteries, which would have doubled our costs, our solar panels will offset a significant portion of our utility bills.
I’m a fan of net metering because it forces Xcel Energy, which enjoys a monopoly in my area, to discount our bill for any energy our solar panels produce. They do this even though it cuts into their profits. Net metering made the economics of solar power work in my instance, and we save money when the sun shines brightly and spring days stay cold.
But after watching hurricanes knock out power across large regions of the country, I have a brand-new perspective on net metering. Rather than viewing it as a policy that lets homeowners save on utility bills, I’m thinking of net metering as a way to make where I live more resilient to natural disasters.
My parents live in Asheville, N.C., which was devastated by Hurricane Helene in September 2024. They were out of town visiting family when the storm struck, but water and power outages kept them from getting home for weeks.
Until 2023, North Carolina had used net metering to encourage solar installation, contributing to its status as the fourth-largest solar power-producing
state in the country. But in recent years, power companies successfully persuaded legislators in North Carolina, as well as California, Nevada and Arizona, to switch from net metering to “net billing.” That change and other policies now pay solar producers at significantly lower rates.
In those states, utilities argued that net metering hurts homeowners who don’t have solar by increasing costs for non-solar power. But analyses, notably those conducted by public power con-
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sultant Richard McCann of mcubedecon.com, show that increased solar production saves billions for non-solar producers in California.
When states move away from net metering – despite the dubious arguments justifying the shift – the pace of solar installations slows dramatically. In California, new solar installations dropped by 56% from 2022 to 2024.
For those of us with solar panels, I think it’s time to think about adding storage batteries, using that extra elec-
tricity for battery charging. Batteries make any home more independent from the grid, but here’s the catch: The cost can be prohibitive. I’m saving up as solar batteries cost between $12,000$20,000 for a typical home according to solarreviews.com.
The advantages to battery support, however, are significant. If homeowners use their net metering savings to add batteries, during natural disasters, they could still pump water, run refrigerators or charge their phones until power is restored.
Normally, I wouldn’t advocate for state governments to step in and regulate businesses. But in the case of power companies, I support net metering because there usually isn’t a competitive free market for power.
Customers are at the mercy of electric companies that raised power prices 11% in 2022 and 2.5% in 2023, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration’s state electricity profiles. As the same companies were raising prices, they were also fighting to reduce the amount rebated to solar-producing homeowners.
Now that I’m aware of net metering and invested in providing solar power back to the grid, I’m keeping tabs on any proposal that would reduce net metering in my state.
It’s such a wonderful concept – thousands of homeowners selling power back to the electric company – while also reducing their vulnerability to natural disasters.
What’s even better: Residential solar power mimics a stand-alone power plant, one that needs never be built.
Andrew Carpenter is a contributor to Writers on the Range, writersontherange.org, an independent nonprofit dedicated to spurring lively conversation about the West. He writes in Colorado. ■
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View from Andrew Carpenter’s roof. Under Colorado’s “net metering” policy, homeowners with solar panels who send power to the grid must be reimbursed for that power at the same rate they would buy power from the company. This makes adding solar a good investment for some, with solar panels offsetting a significant portion of utility bills. / Photo courtesy Andrew Carpenter
SoapBox D-Tooned/
by Rob Pudim
Protect Medicaid access for mental health
My name is Dr. Stacy Reuille-Dupont, and I’m writing on behalf of Studio B, a mental health and wellness clinic serving the Durango community.
For the past 15 years, I’ve dedicated my career to mental health care in Colorado, from working on the front lines as a clinician to now operating a clinic that employs 10 skilled professionals.
Throughout my career, I have been a committed Medicaid provider and have seen firsthand the critical role it plays in ensuring access to essential care. We are deeply concerned about the proposed reductions to Medicaid funding and the significant, far-reaching consequences they would have on our clients, staff and broader community.
A large portion of our clientele depends on Medicaid to access consistent, quality mental health care. Cutting Medicaid would likely lead to many losing coverage, forcing them to delay or forgo treatment. This can result in worsening symptoms, increased crises and a rise in the use of emergency services – ultimately driving up costs to taxpayers and
overburdening the public health system.
These disruptions don’t just impact individual lives – they ripple outward, affecting families, workplaces and communities.
In addition, Medicaid reimbursements make up a significant portion of our operating budget. Reduced funding would put immense strain on our ability to maintain staff and serve clients effectively. We could be forced to cut clinician hours, reduce support staff and limit availability for new clients. It would also diminish the quality and continuity of care for those who need it most. The loss of highly trained mental health providers in rural and underserved areas like ours would be devastating.
The broader implications of Medicaid cuts are already being felt statewide. For example, our regional partner, Axis Health System, has had to lay off staff due to funding challenges – reducing access to vital mental and physical health services. With ongoing shifts in employment and subsequent loss of private insurance, many people in our region rely solely on Medicaid.
Research shows that nearly 40% of Colorado Medicaid recipients have a psy-
chiatric diagnosis, and these individuals typically incur twice the total healthcare costs of those without mental health conditions Accessible mental health care helps reduce overall healthcare expenses by preventing unnecessary ER visits, reducing hospitalizations and supporting medication adherence. In short, it’s not
just beneficial – it’s cost-effective.
The bottom line: When we invest in accessible, preventive mental health care, we invest in stronger communities, a more stable economy and a healthier Colorado. Cutting Medicaid not only harms our most vulnerable populations but also places additional strain on an al-
ready stretched healthcare system. These proposed reductions would result in higher long-term costs for everyone.
Maintaining robust mental health support is essential – not just for those directly receiving care, but for the health and stability of our entire region.
– Dr. Stacy Reuille-Dupont, Durango
Support LPEA board
If you want to see what responsible, forward-thinking leadership looks like, look at what’s already been accomplished under the current LPEA board.
While federal fire mitigation efforts are being cut, LPEA has expanded ours. Using grid mapping and drones, they’ve launched proactive teams to create defensible spaces, increased tree trimming in high-risk areas, and hosted two emergency simulations focused on crisis coordination during wildfires.
LPEA has taken bold steps to improve our regional energy independence, tapping into our 300-plus days of sunshine and vast geothermal potential. New energy contracts are projected to cut the average La Plata County resident’s electric bill by 10%. Even better, these changes create an opportunity for us to sell back unused energy, injecting money back into our local economy.
As a small business owner who has personally benefited from the mentorship of current board member John Witchel – a true champion for entrepreneurship and regional resilience – I’ve seen firsthand his commitment to both safety and economic development.
Now, more than ever, our region needs stability, not upheaval. Let’s not create chaos just for the sake of change. Instead, let’s stay the course and continue building on this momentum.
I urge you to reelect John Witchel (District 4), Joe Lewandowski (District 3) and Holly Metzler (District 1) to the LPEA board. Let’s keep moving forward.
– Elizabeth Philbrick, Durango
The Billionaire Blues
Cloudy days and chaos rains, Now crazy is the order of the day
The dying of so much patriarchal ick, Having quite a death throw, It’s making us all sick.
Don’t know if I can even watch the jokey joke news It’s all giving me those billionaire blues.
Can’t get no privacy
Can’t even enjoy the dusk
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‘Cause the sky is filled with Starlink And the scent of Elon’s musk
He’s in the air
He’s in our hair
He wants to spread his sperm everywhere.
How to get rid of these chainsaw nerds? How do we get our voices heard? It’s really all dangerously absurd.
‘Cause from these narcissists, Let me tell ya, No good will ensue. None of us can afford These billionaires’ blues.
– Monica Devi Bhakti, Durango
More scary mining facts
Jonathan Thompson’s article “Mining Madness” (Telegraph, March 27) includes “really… scary” facts that deserve highlighting. Trump’s executive order (EO) sets aside environmental protections to fast-track mining projects for “just about everything.” The primary tool is the newly created National Energy Dominance Council (NEDC). The Sabin Center for Climate Change Law states that the goal of this entity is to “further his energy agenda, which
centers on the rapid expansion of fossil fuel infrastructure.” The council includes nine Trump appointees, chaired by Doug Burgum and Chris Wright, who are full-throated advocates for the fossil fuel industry.
Trump wants to return to the 1872 Mining Law, which allowed people to stake a claim anywhere on public land; conduct exploratory work with a minimum of review; and pay no royalties on what is extracted. It was a free-for-all of environmental destruction. For Trump, that sounds great.
He is directing the NEDC to identify “as many sites as possible” for mineral production “as soon as possible.” This includes greenlighting the massive projects that Thompson lists. Trump says to make any revisions to existing land-use plans to “prioritize mineral production over other activities,” sidelining conservation, recreation, livestock grazing and other uses.
The EO provides for the cheap dumping of mine waste even where a valid mine doesn’t exist. For Trump, the concepts that the Earth is small, its resources limited and that the unregulated release of toxins are dangerous to human health, are nonexistent. It’s the corporate capture of government, to the detriment of people and the environment.
– Gary Stewart, Laguna Beach, Calif.
by Jonathan P. Thompson
The 40 million or so people who rely on the Colorado River for drinking, bathing, irrigating, cooling data centers or filling their swimming pools have a problem. The amount of water being pulled out of the river for all this stuff exceeds the amount of water that’s actually in the river – at least during most years. And on the rare exception that supply exceeds demand, the surplus does little to dent the deficit, resulting in perennially low reservoirs and chronically high water-manager stress levels.
There is one way out of this mess: use less water.
Yet while the solution may be simple, it’s not exactly easy to carry out. That’s in part because people keep moving to the region, increasing demand. Plus, as the climate warms, we need more water to keep crops, grass or ourselves from drying up, making cutting consumption difficult and even dangerous.
An even bigger obstacle is the societal urge to try to solve problems by consuming more, building more and doing more (see the rise of the “Abundance” movement among liberals). Using less goes directly against that urge (see Trump’s recent executive order titled: Maintaining Acceptable Water Pressure in Showerheads). That inclination drives the slew of schemes to try to produce more water, whether it’s by building dams, throwing dynamite into the sky, seeding clouds, desalinating seawater or draining the Great Lakes and piping the water across the nation. While it’s true that dams have given folks a bit more time to find a solution, building more of them now won’t do any good, since even existing reservoirs are far from full.
But there is one thing we can do more of to help us consume less: recycling. While the idea of recycling water inspires turn-off terms like “toilet to tap,” the practice is actually quite common in Colorado River states. (And, really, if you live downstream from any other community, you are probably drinking the upstream towns’ recycled wastewater, though that isn’t counted as recycling, per se.)
A new report out of UCLA gives the rundown on wastewater recycling in the Colorado River Basin, and reveals that Arizona and Nevada are way ahead of the Upper Basin when it comes to reusing water. Yet there is still room for improvement. And it finds that if all the Colorado River states aside from Arizona and Nevada were to increase wastewater reuse by 50%, they
Less is more
River’s woes
would free up some 1.3 million acre-feet of water per year, which is about one-third of the way to the 4 million acre-feet of cuts deemed necessary.
Some states are on top of water recycling (way to go Arizona and Nevada!) Others not so much (we see you Colorado, Utah and Wyoming).
To be clear, not all water recycling is “toilet to tap.” In fact, most is not. In Las Vegas, for example, treated effluent is used to irrigate golf courses, and it’s also returned back to Lake Mead, which is then credited against Nevada’s water allotment. And in Arizona, treated wastewater from the Phoenix-area is used for steam production and cooling at the Palo Verde nuclear plant (which evaporates a whopping 45,000 gallons of water per minute), and treated effluent is used to “recharge” groundwater aquifers.
While recycled water can be used to irrigate crops, you can’t really recycle irrigation water. That fact, in a way, is why Nevada is the leader in Colorado River water-recycling: Almost all of its allocation from the river goes to the Las Vegas metro area for public supply/domestic use, with virtually none of it going to
irrigate crops. That means most of the water eventually goes into the sewer system, making it available for recycling. And that, in turn, makes it easier to slash water use in cities than on farms, further throwing off the balance between agricultural and municipal use and putting more pressure on farmers to sell out or become more efficient, which has its own drawbacks.
Water recycling can have unintended side effects, too. While it’s nice that Palo Verde doesn’t rely on freshwater, the 72,000 acre-feet of recycled water it uses per year evaporates – it is a zero water-discharge plant – meaning that water does not soak into aquifers or benefit ecosystems. And, water treatment is highly energy-intensive, so the more water you want to recycle, the more power you’ll need.
Ultimately, using less water in the first place is going to be necessary. But recycling what we do use could help. ■
The Land Desk is a newsletter from Jonathan P. Thompson, author of “River of Lost Souls,” “Behind the Slickrock Curtain” and “Sagebrush Empire.” To subscribe, go to: www.land desk.org
Lake Mead and the big “bathtub ring” as seen next to Hoover Dam. / Photo by Jonathan P. Thompson
BetweentheBeats
In tune
Robin and Jimi Davis on making music together, on and off stage
by Stephen Sellers
For this week’s “Between the Beats,” I caught up with Pagosa’s most famous musical couple, Robin and Jimi Davis, aka The Robin Davis Duo. Armed with an open-back banjo and a five-string fiddle, the duo just released “Starin’ at the Mountain,” a stunning follow up to their 2015 debut. As some know, Robin and I play together in Six Dollar String Band, with Jimi often joining us throughout the years, and they’ve become a dear part of my life. Their latest album is a must-listen for anyone craving the raw, heartfelt pulse of original old-time music. You can find it on all digital streaming platforms, and as always, see you on the dance floor!
SS: How did this band begin?
JD: Robin had just a little one-bedroom apartment. And whenever Robin would leave, I would use that time to play guitar because I was a little insecure about playing guitar around him just because he’s so good. He’d always come home and catch me on the guitar. And then I’d put it away. Robin was in “Waiting on Trial” at that time, and their bass player was moving. So he kind of brought it up and just showed me a couple of things.
RD: Yeah, I showed her how easy it is to just play a bass line, bluegrass style. I was like, “I know she can do this.” She’s got rhythm. And, two weeks later, we were playing our first gigs together.
JD: We played at Montanya, the rum bar in Silverton. And Robin would kind of shout the chords at me a little bit until I got my sea legs stronger.
RD: But she was totally fearless right from the start, as far as getting on stage and playing super solid rhythmically.
SS: You guys hopped into the studio for your first album in 2015. Some people might know that a lot of material on that has been covered by huge bluegrass bands around the country. I think Green Sky Bluegrass plays “Prom Night” frequently, for example.
RD: Yeah, and The Kitchen Dwellers, “I Control the Rain” sometimes.
SS: What does it look like for you guys when you’re working on new material and trying to put an
album together?
RD: We usually write individually and then share it. I don’t think we’ve ever really co-written a song.
JD: I think we both have different ways in which we write material. I primarily write without an instrument. I kind of just write the melodies that come to my head while I’m walking, and then I go to the instrument later. I feel like Robin has such a solid home practice with his instrument that he’s always kind of playing.
RD: I have to kind of play it and tweak it, and … it takes a while. For Jimi, it kind of seems like it’s just “poof,” and the song’s there. Whereas I have to painstakingly tease out every line over the course of a few days.
SS: Tell us a little bit about where the idea for “Starin’ at the Mountain” came from.
RD: We definitely have an appreciation of old time (music) stemming from our experience playing with Six Dollar String Band, but we also do like to do originals. We call it “original old time.” It’s supposed to sound somewhat authentic – something that could perhaps
pass for an old song but with contemporary lyrics.
JD: The whole reason I have a banjo is because of the Six Dollar String Band. I remembered that I literally had a banjo in my closet that I hadn’t even really played. It’s like, sometimes you ask the universe for something and then you realize you already have it.
SS: Not everyone can be in a creative endeavor with their partner. What do you feel has made it possible for you guys to be able to do that?
RD: It’s definitely challenging at times. The biggest fights happen right before you go on stage. But if you can master that, then it just makes you stronger as a couple, really, I think.
JD: First and foremost, we are husband and wife. He is very supportive of me and builds me up with confidence. But he also is a very wise teacher, because of his decades of playing. And I do think that because we live in the same house, sleep in the same bed, our frequencies are aligned, and I feel like that can kind of show when we’re playing. ■
Robin and Jimi Davis make up the The Robin Davis Duo, a banjo and fiddleplaying couple with deep Southwest roots./ Photo courtesy Sarah KJ.
Time traveler
Octavia Butler’s prophetic words echo this Earth Day
The United States celebrated its first Earth Day on April 22, 1970. In 2025, a day dedicated to preserving and appreciating our planet’s biodiversity and bounty takes on a different meaning. This year, we celebrate Earth Day in the midst of an environmental massacre –Trump’s administration has made it nauseatingly clear that the planet exists only to serve consumerism and host the vacation homes of the filthy rich.
The work this country has put into protecting natural spaces is imperiled by Trump’s recent executive orders, with implications detrimental to our existence.
In early January, I devoured a novel called “Parable of the Sower,” written in 1993 by the late award-winning author Octavia E. Butler. Paired with Trump’s nearing inauguration, the timing of my finishing this book felt like fate, almost as if the spirit of Butler dropped the book into my hands herself.
Set between the years of 2024-27, “Parable of the Sower” tells the story of a post-apocalyptic Earth plagued with fascism, environmental decay and chronic ignorance. Told through the diary entries of a young woman, readers are thrust into a slow descent into anarchy. One can’t help but draw parallels between Butler’s dystopian tale and our nation’s current state. But the book goes a step further, warning us of what could come.
The backdrop of this novel is an everworsening climate crisis combined with overpopulation and class warfare. The 1% stay protected while targeting re-
gions and groups that are densely populated, under-resourced and widely marginalized.
The book’s protagonist, Lauren, is separated from her home and experiences rampant death in her community. She is forced to navigate a war-torn, disease and drug-ridden, actively decaying society by herself. Slowly, she learns to trust people around her. At the same time, Lauren juggles a rare condition that burdens her with experiencing the same sensations as those she sees experiencing physical pain.
Lauren’s father was a preacher in their community, but a complicated relationship pushes Lauren to reject traditional teachings on religion and God. She slowly formulates Earthseed, a way to think about God as constant change, not a person/spiritual figure. God is change, she preaches: “All that you touch, you Change. All that you Change Changes you. The only lasting truth is Change.”
Using Lauren’s lens to decipher Trump’s plans of destruction, I feel hyper aware of the greed and selfishness that clouds rational, science-based thinking. We can no longer count on our rivers or forests to be constant. Nor our mountain ranges, national parks and open spaces that are meant to be safe from the material world. But Butler’s concept of change – loss of earthen treasures and mass movements of ignorance and denial – is what defines our reality and must coax us to advocate for knowledge and growth.
For a book written more than 30 years ago, Butler’s prophetic insight into our modern political climate should heed more than just caution. Her impact has extended far beyond her death in 2006, at just 58. She is the winner of multiple literary awards, including the Hugo, Locus and Nebula awards, and her literature has continued to fuel social advocacy. Many of her works, including “Parable of the Sower,” have landed on banned book lists.
Butler’s literature bleeds with thematic injustice toward African Americans, climate crises, politics and institutional disparity – all truths that shape the unpredictability of America in 2025.
Since finishing this book, I’ve found myself thinking of Lauren’s “God is Change” mantra while trying to digest devastating changes made by our own 1%. In a way, Lauren makes me want to be an agent of change, to push for what’s right, even when things are dire.
For the sake of Earth’s beings – you, me, the frogs, deer, beetles and everything in between – the time for change is here and now. We must act to stop this cycle of fear and loss before there’s nothing left. If we want to survive, we have to rely on each other. No higher power is coming to save us, and we are more powerful when we work together. From beyond the grave, this must be what Butler wants to tell us. She seems to have transcended time to shed light on the potential of karmic retribution. As we enter a time that will test our loyalty and strength, let us internalize her wisdom. This Earth Day, let us show love for our world and each other, lest we, too, become the characters within Butler’s pages. ■
– Maddy Gleason
Maddy recently returned from amazing travels in Central America. She loves the spring flowers and is always searching for new books.
FreeWillAstrology
by Rob Brezsny
ARIES (March 21-April 19): I am always surprised when there appears yet another article or book that implies there is one right approach to meditation. The truth is, there are many ways. Here’s teacher Christopher Bamford: “Meditation is naturally individual, uniquely our own. There are no rules. Just as every potter will elaborate their own way of making pots, so everyone who meditates will shape their own meditation.” This is excellent counsel for you right now. You have extra power to define and develop your unique style of meditation. Have fun as you go deeper and deeper!
TAURUS (April 20-May 20): From 150104, Michelangelo worked to create a 17foot-tall marble sculpture of the Biblical king known as David. Today it stands in Florence’s Galleria dell’Accademia and is one of the most famous statues in the world. But the block of marble from which it was carved had a troubled beginning. Two other artists worked on it but ultimately abandoned their efforts, regarding the raw material as flawed. Michelangelo saw potential where they didn’t. He coaxed a masterpiece from what they rejected. Be like him in coming weeks. Look for treasure in situations that others deem unremarkable. Find the beauty hidden from the rest of the world.
GEMINI (May 21-June 20): The Judean date palm was considered extinct for more than 800 years. Then scientists germinated a 2,000-year-old seed discovered in the ancient fortress of Masada. That was 20 years ago. Today, the tree is still thriving. Let’s regard this as your metaphor of power, Gemini. You, too, are now capable of reviving a long-dormant possibility. An old dream or relationship might show unexpected signs of life. Something you thought was lost could flourish if you give it your love and attention.
CANCER (June 21-July 22): In more than a few ancient cultures, dolphins were regarded as playful allies that would guide lost ships and assist sailors in stress. In ancient Greek myth, dolphins were sacred companions and agents of the sea god. In Maori culture, dolphins were thought to deliver important messages. According to my philosophy, spirit allies like dolphins are still very much available for those who are open to them. Are you? I’m pleased to tell you that magical helpers and divine intermediaries will offer you mysterious and useful counsel in the coming weeks, if you are receptive to the possibility.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Do you know about the Leo liberator Simón Bolívar (1783–1830)? This Venezuelan statesman and military officer accomplished a cornucopia of good works. Through his leadership, Venezuela, Colombia, Peru, Panama, Bolivia and Ecuador gained independence from the Spanish Empire. He was one of history’s greatest crusaders for liberal democracy. I propose we make him one of your inspiring symbols for the next 12 months. May he inspire you to be a courageous emancipator who helps create a better world.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Virgo conductor Leonard Bernstein was a global superstar because of his musicianship, activism, and teaching. He transformed classical music by dissolving barriers between “high” and “low” culture, bringing elegant symphonies to popular audiences while promoting respect for jazz and pop. He wanted all kinds of music to be accessible to all kinds of listeners. I think you are currently capable of Bernstein-like synergies. You can bridge different worlds not only for your own benefit but also that of others. You have extra power to be a unifier!
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): A rainbow happens when sunlight and rain collaborate. In a sense, it’s a symbol of the sublimity that may emerge from a synergy of brightness and darkness. Let’s make the rainbow your symbol of power in coming weeks. May it inspire you to find harmony by dealing with contrasts and paradoxes. May it encourage you to balance logic and emotion, work and rest, light and shadow, independence and partnership. I hope you will trust your ability to inspire cooperation.
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): You now have more power than usual to transform ordinary things into extraordinary things. Your imagination will work at peak levels as you meditate on how to creatively repurpose existing resources. What other people might regard as irrelevant or inconsequential could be useful in your hands. I invite you to give special attention to overlooked assets. They may have hidden potential waiting to be unlocked.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): If you google “the religion of work,” many critical references come up. They condemn the ways humans place an inordinate importance on the jobs they do, thereby sacrificing their health and soulfulness. The derogatory English
term “workaholic” is a descriptor for those whose are manically devoted to “the religion of work.” But now let’s shift gears. The artist Maruja Mallo (1902–95) conjured a different version of “the religion of work.” Her paintings celebrated, even expressed reverence for, the agricultural laborers of rural Spain. She felt their positive attitudes toward their tasks enhanced their health and soulfulness. In the coming weeks, I invite you to explore Mallo’s version of the religion of work.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Astrologer Aliza Kelly likes Capricorns for their “fearless ambition, limitless resilience and ability to keep pushing forward, even in the face of challenging adversity.” But she also praises their “secret wild side.” She writes, “Inside every earnest Capricorn is a mischievous troublemaker” that “loves to party.” I agree with her and am happy to announce that the rowdier side of your nature is due for full expression in coming weeks. I don’t know if that will involve “dancing on tables,” an activity Kelly ascribes to you. But I bet it will at least include interludes we can describe as “untamed.”
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): In 1922, Aquarian author James Joyce published “Ulysses,” a novel recognized as one of the masterworks of 20th-century world literature. Seventeen years later, he produced “Finnegans Wake,” an uproarious experimental novel that was universally reviled when it first emerged because of its wild wordplay, unusual plot and frantic energy. In the ensuing years, though, it has also come to be regarded as a monument of brilliant creativity. It’s one of my favorite books, and I’m glad Joyce never wavered in his commitment to producing such an epic work. Anyway, Aquarius, I’m guessing you have been toiling away at your own equivalent of Finnegans Wake. I beg you to maintain your faith! Keep going!
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Years ago, in the early days of my infatuation with a new lover, she put a blindfold on me and ushered me around the city of Columbia, S.C. The goal was to enhance my non-visual senses. The experiment worked. I heard, smelled and felt things I would never have noticed unless my dominating eyesight had been muffled. Ever since, my non-visual senses have operated with more alacrity. This fun project also improved the way I use my eyes. The coming days would be an excellent time for you to try a similar adventure, Pisces. If my idea isn’t exactly engaging to you, come up with your own. You will benefit profoundly from enhancing your perceptual apparatus.
Stuff to Do
Thursday17
“A Peaceful Library Takeover” expanding nonprofits’ access to funding and grant advice, 10:30 a.m., Southwest Colorado libraries
Trail Crew Brew Release and Durango Trails Membership Event, 4-8 p.m., Ska Brewing, 225 Girard St.
Yoga of Recovery, Thursdays thru May 29, 4:305:45 p.m., Smiley Building Room 20A, 1309 E. 3rd. Ave. Register innerpeaceyogatherapy.com/l ocations/durango/
Mountain Studies Institute Volunteer Kickoff, 5-7 p.m., Mountain Studies Institute, 162 Stewart St., Unit A
Spanish Conversation Hour, 5:30-6:30 p.m., Durango Public Library, 1900 E. 3rd Ave.
Weekly Dart Tournament, 5:30 p.m., Union Social House, 3062 Main Ave.
Free Poetry Workshops, 6-7 p.m., Fort Lewis Mesa Library, 11274 Highway 140, Hesperus
“Birdwatching: A Window Into the World Around You,” 6-7 p.m., Durango Public Library, 1900 E. 3rd Ave.
Lizard Head Quartet plays, 6-9 p.m., Durango Hot Springs, 6475 CR 203
Name That Tune Trivia Bingo, 6-8 p.m., Barons Creek Vineyards, 901 Main Ave.
Tim Sullivan plays, 6-9 p.m., Diamond Belle Saloon, 699 Main Ave.
Andrew Schuhmann plays, 6-9:30 p.m., Office Spiritorium, 699 Main Ave.
Mr. B’s Wild West Vaudeville Show, 6:30-9 p.m., Durango Arts Center, 802 E. 2nd Ave.
Trivia Night, 6:30-9 p.m., Powerhouse Science Center, 1333 Camino del Rio
“Hadestown” folk opera teen edition, presented by Troupe 1096, 7 p.m., DHS Auditorium
“Pippin” presented by Fort Lewis College Theatre, 7:30-10 p.m. FLC MainStage Theatre
Drag Trivia Night hosted by Aria PettyOne, 7:309:30 p.m., Starlight Lounge, 937 Main Ave.
Friday18
Food drive for local food pantries, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Albertson’s and South City Market
“Kindred” Opening Reception featuring work from Jenn Rawling, Miki Harder & Louisa Palmer, 5-9 p.m., Studio & , 1027 Main Ave.
Larry Carver & Friends play, 5:30 p.m., Diamond Belle Saloon, 699 Main Ave.
Dustin Burley plays, 6-9:30 p.m., Office Spiritorium, 699 Main Ave.
“Hadestown” folk opera teen edition, presented by Troupe 1096, 7 p.m., DHS Auditorium
Lower Left Student Showcase Improv, 7-9 p.m., Durango Arts Center, 802 E. 2nd Ave.
“How to See in the Dark,” 20 Moons performance, 7 p.m., The Light Box at Stillwater Music, 1316 Main Ave.
“Pippin” presented by Fort Lewis College Theatre, 7:30-10 p.m. FLC MainStage Theatre
Saturday19
FLC Hawk Tank Business Plan Competition, 8 a.m., Fort Lewis College Education Business Hall
Walking into Wellness, hikes for cancer survivors and caregivers, 9-11 a.m., Oxbow Park, 500 Animas Dr.
Food drive for local food pantries, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Albertson’s and South City Market
Easter Egg Scramble, 9:30-11 a.m., Santa Rita Park, 111 S. Camino Del Rio
Watershed Wonders Earth Day Event, sponsored by Mountain Studies Institute,10 a.m.-1 p.m., Rotary Park
Durango Harley-Davidson’s Huge Easter Egg Hunt, 10-11 a.m., Durango Harley-Davidson, 750 S. Camino Del Rio
Animal Soul plays, 6-9 p.m., 11th Street Station, 1101 Main Ave.
The Pete Giuliani Band plays, 5-8 p.m., Mancos Brewing Co., 484 160 E Frontage Rds. Mancos
Adam Swanson plays, 6-9 p.m., Diamond Belle Saloon, 699 Main Ave.
Jose Villarreal plays, 6-9:30 p.m., Office Spiritorium, 699 Main Ave.
“Hadestown” folk opera teen edition, presented by Troupe 1096, 7 p.m., DHS Auditorium
“How to See in the Dark,” 20 Moons performance, 7 p.m., The Light Box at Stillwater Music, 1316 Main Ave.
Cult Movie Saturday featuring “Little Shop of Horrors,” 7-9 p.m., Durango Arts Center, 802 E. 2nd Ave.
Durango Contradance Series, 7-9:30 p.m., La Plata Senior Center, 2424 Main Ave.
“Pippin” presented by Fort Lewis College Theatre, 7:30-10 p.m. FFLC MainStage Theatre
Magic Rock! Illusionist Leon Etienne, 7:30 p.m., Community Concert Hall at FLC
Motifv & Phyphr with Louie Letdown, 8 p.m., Animas City Theatre, 128 E. College Dr.
Sunday20
Easter Egg Hunt, 11 a.m., St. Columba, 800 E. 2nd Ave.
AskRachel
The Easter grinch and the three-hour work day
Interesting fact: “Eight hours for work” etc. etc. was the slogan of the 19th-century Haymarket Martyrs, who were killed while on strike. We like to say they died for the modern workday. I have to think they died for the “rest & what we will” portions of the day.
Dear Rachel, My wife, Bunny, said no Easter eggs this year. She is telling me we will color small spuds. She said she is tired of all the talk about eggs. But it just won’t seem like Easter without the eggs – potatoes just don’t cut it. Any ideas? A happy wife is a happy life.
– Jack Rabbit
Dear John Coney, Ideas for what – getting your wife to cave on Easter eggs? Nah, man. She’s tired of hearing talk about them. And who can blame her? You clearly won’t let the issue drop. It’s time to crack your insistence and get the yolk out of there, because it could always be worse. You could be dying onions or haggis or something.
– Hop along, Rachel
Dear Rachel,
You remember that famous woodcut print that shows “Eight hours for work, eight hours for rest, eight hours for what we will?” Sounds nice, except that
Data Driven Business Coaching, 12 p.m., FLC Center for Innovation, 835 Main Ave.
Board Game Sundays, 12-3 p.m., Lola’s Place, 725 E. 2nd Ave.
Conscious Couture Fashion Show benefit for La Plata County Humane Society, 12-1 p.m., Buckley Park
Weekly Peace Vigil & Rally for Gaza & Palestine, every Sunday, 4 p.m., Buckley Park
Blue Moon Ramblers play, 6-9 p.m., Diamond Belle Saloon, 699 Main Ave.
Charlie Henry plays, 6-9 p.m., Office Spiritorium, 699 Main Ave.
Monday21
Mahjong Mondays, 5-7:30 p.m., Lola’s Place, 725 E. 2nd Ave.
Joel Racheff plays, 5:30-10:30 p.m., Diamond Belle Saloon, 699 Main Ave.
Comedy Open Mic, 8 p.m., Starlight Lounge, 937 Main Ave.
Tuesday22
work portion ought to include all the housework and the errands too! Those are not “rest,” and they certainly aren’t “what I will.” What’s a good modern update?
– Job Creep
Dear Work Peep, It has to be catchy, so that the masses will latch onto it, and we can effect real change. I propose, “Three hours for work, five hours for taking care of other shit instead of pretending to work, eight hours for what we will, and eight hours for being in bed even though I’ll be doomscrolling for at least three of those.” Might need fine-tuned.
– On the clock, Rachel
Electronics Recycling, Durango Montessori School fundraiser, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., La Plata County Fairgrounds
Great Decisions discusses “U.S.-China Relations,” 11:45 a.m., Durango Public Library, 1900 E. 3rd Ave.
Cowboy Tuesdays, 12-3 p.m., Diamond Belle Saloon, 699 Main Ave.
Jason Thies plays, 6 p.m., Diamond Belle Saloon, 699 Main Ave.
Open Mic, 7 p.m., Starlight Lounge, 937 Main Ave.
Breast Cancer Networking Group, 4-5 p.m., Cancer Support Community Southwest Colorado, 1701 Main Ave., Ste. C
Wednesday23
Young Professionals of Durango Happy Hour, 57 p.m., Animas Brewing, 1560 E. 2nd Ave.
“De-escalating Conflict With Your Children,” skill-building workshop, 5:15-7 p.m., Three Springs Conference Center, 65 Mercado St., Conference Room 202
Donny Johnson plays, 5:30-9 p.m., Diamond Belle Saloon, 699 Main Ave.
Email Rachel at telegraph@durango telegraph.com
Poetry Open Mic Night, 6-8 p.m., The Reading Room, 145 E. College Dr., Ste. 10W
Open Mic with Leigh Mikell, 7 p.m., EsoTerra Ciderworks, 558 Main Ave.
Karaoke Roulette, 8 p.m., Starlight Lounge, 937 Main Ave.
Karaoke with KJB, 8-11 p.m., The Tangled Horn, 275 E. 8th Ave.
Ongoing
“Given Time: Sensory Aesthetics of Reclamation,” exhibit exploring Indigenous relationships to land, Center of Southwest Studies, FLC. Runs thru April 24.
“Sardines” art exhibit by Kimberly DeVenero, thru April, The Recess Gallery at Studio &, 1027 Main Ave.
60-year celebration “A Legacy of Gifts,” thru Nov. 13, Center of Southwest Studies, FLC
Upcoming
Spring has as sprunprung!
Nice selection of dresses, linen pants, tops, jewelry and accessories for Easter gatherings from Sundance, Johnny Was and Anthropologie
“Stories of Indigenous Resistance: Turtle Island to Palestine,” presented by The Durango Palestine Solidarity Coalition, Thurs., April 24, 5:30-7:30 p.m., Durango Public Library, 1900 E. 3rd Ave. April 17, 2025 n 13
Deadline for Telegraph classified ads is Tuesday at noon.
Ads are a bargain at 10 cents a character with a $5 minimum.
Even better, ads can now be placed online: durangotelegraph.com Prepayment is required via cash, credit card or check. (Sorry, no refunds or substitutions.)
Ads can be submitted via: n durangotelegraph.com n classifieds@durango telegraph.com n 970-259-0133
Lost/Found
My Cat Cid is Missing
Long hair, white with black spots, green eyes. Last seen near 18th St. and E. 2nd Ave., by St. Columba. Reward. Call 970-403-6192
Announcements
Sol Sparkle Hair Tinsel
Now offering feather extensions! Animas Trading Co Sat 4/19 & 5/24 1-4pm, Subterrain Sat 5/10 2-6pm Meadows Market @ Edgemont 5/11 1-4pm
Book Sale
Sat. 5/3, 11-4 in the garden @ White Rabbit Books & Curiosities. Take what you need, pay what you want & tell your friends !
Applications for Advanced Standing
MSW Program Students with a bachelor’s degree in social work (BSW) are eligible for a one-year Masters of Social Work program through the University of Denver. The program starts summer 2025 and classes are taught in Durango. Stipends for child welfare, integrated behavioral health care are available. Native American tuition support to eligible stu-
dents is also available. For more info contact Janelle.Doughty@du.edu or www.du. edu/socialwork
Get Your Wine On At the Durango Wine Experience! Tickets @ durangowine.com
Classes/Workshops
Weekly Fast, Fun 45-Minute Aikido
Don't like to fight but want to feel safe? Try Aikido, the blending, calming martial art. Mondays 5:30-6:15pm $8 for 18+. Must book online: durangoaikido.com
West Coast Swing
Ready to dance? Join our 3-week West Coast Swing Basics series for beginners! It’s fun, social, and easy to learn—no partner or experience needed. A new series starts every few weeks, so join us for the next one! We also offer a weekly social dance – a fun drop-in option or included with your series registration! Sign up at: www.westslopewesties.com
Are You Ready for Guitar Lessons in Durango? I teach all ages and experience levels. Please contact Seth at 602-908-4475
HelpWanted
Join Our Tempeh-Making Crew! (Part-Time) $20-24/hour • 15-20 hours/week. We're Luv Tempeh, a small local business in Durango making handcrafted, soy-free tempeh from organic ingredients. We’re looking for experienced kitchen help. Curious? Questions? Want to apply? https://luvtempeh.com/work-with-us/
La Plata Food Equity Coalition (LPFEC) Hiring Leadership Position. The LPFEC is searching for a 3/4 time Proj-
ect Weaver to lead our coalition. Their work includes building and maintaining partnerships, managing the coalition’s 3.5 staff, facilitating strategic planning and implementation, and coordinating resources and accountability. The anticipated start date is July 7th, 2025. Learn more and apply here by 4/13: www.good foodcollective.org/available-positions
BodyWork
Massage by Meg Bush
LMT, 30, 60 & 90 min., 970-759-0199
ForRent
2 Private Office Spaces
for rent in environmental consulting firm’s office, $400 each/mo. (144ft & 156ft) or both $750/mo. 835 E. 2nd Ave. Month-to-month lease includes utilities, Wi-Fi, shared kitchen, restrooms and conference room. Please contact jhesford@ero resources.com for more information.
ForSale
Wired Freedom 60v Cruiser
Brand new still in box, Titian, 2024 + model with two batteries. Retail $2,199 asking $1,850. Text 9709463888
Winnebago Navion 24V 2017 Winnebago Navion 24V Class C RV, Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 diesel chassis, 18,500 miles. Excellent condition. 970-946-9941
Reruns Home Furnishings
Time to spruce up your outdoor space. Multiple patio sets, bistros, vintage patio
sets and yard art. Also looking to consign smaller furniture pieces. 572 E. 6th Ave. Open Mon.-Sat. 385-7336.
Vintage Scooter 1981 Honda Passport C70 Deluxe motorcycle. Does not run but it did at one time in not-too-distant past. Several new parts, widgets, doohickeys and thingamajings. Fuel stabilizer added; always garaged. Cute as a button, just can’t get her to go. Title in hand. Sold as is: $200 OBO. 9707492595.
Services
Shed Happens!
Need extra space? RockyMountainSheds.com offers customizable Old Hickory buildings. Free delivery within 50 miles! 29318 US 160 Durango | 970-3358060
Residential Fabrication
Planter boxes, gates and fences and other outdoor property enhancements. North Shore Fab. 970 749 6140. Jon
Lowest Prices on Storage!
Inside/outside storage near Durango and Bayfield. 10-x-20, $130. Outside spots: $65, with discounts available. RJ Mini Storage. 970-259-3494.
Boiler Service - Water Heater
Serving Durango over 30 years. Brad, 970-759-2869. Master Plbg Lic #179917
Chapman Electric Mike 970-403-6670
New construction, remodel, service upgrades, EV chargers, split systems and more. Colorado state licensed electrical contractor.
Affordable Living Senior Community in need of 10 refurbished laptops for training seniors in email and accessing and applying for benefits online. Please contact Maria Doucette, Resident Service Coordinator, VOA Colorado Miremonte, at 970-212-1710.
Dog Fosters Needed
Parker’s Animas Rescue urgently needs foster families to provide temporary homes for rescued dogs. We supply all necessary items and cover vet visits. Join our mission: parkersanimalrescue.com.
Community Compassion Outreach
at 21738 HWY 160 W is open Tues., Wed. and Fri. 9 a.m.- 4 p.m. for case management, client services, light breakfast, snacks, beverages and lunch with peerbased support and services for those with substance-use disorders and co-occurring mental health issues. Saturdays, CCO Coffee & Conversations takes place 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. On Thursdays, Harm Reduction from 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
La Plata Electric Association (LPEA) kicks off its 2025 Board of Directors election the week of April 21, introducing a secure new online voting option via SmartHub alongside traditional mail-in and in-person voting. This election empowers co-op members across La Plata and Archuleta counties to shape the future of their electric cooperative. Full details, deadlines and candidate information can be found at: https://lpea. coop/elections
Engaging Volunteer Opportunity
Alternative Horizons needs volunteers to staff our hotline. Training provided. For info., visit alternativehorizons.org
SWCO Men’s Cancer Advocacy group
If interested, contact Phil at hope@ cancersupportswco.org or 970-403-3711.
The Maker Lab in Bodo Park Collaborative workspace, tools, learning and equipment featuring metal and woodworking, laser cutting, 3D printing,
“Sacramento”
It’s a long way from ‘Palm Springs’ but there’s lovable idiocy there – Lainie Maxson
electronics and sewing. Classes for all levels. www.themakerlab.org.
Americorps is Hiring
Our partner organizations are concentrated in La Plata and Montezuma counties and span through May or August 2025. To learn more, visit unitedway-swco.org/americorps.
Grief Counseling
The Grief Center of SW Colorado is offering free grief counseling services for children, teens and young adults. Please contact us below if interested. griefcenter swco@gmail.com or 970-764-7142
