The Durango Telegraph - April 24, 2025 by Durango Telegraph

Exploring the concept of “Native art” through a grandmother’s weavings by Doug Gonzalez

Nine hopefuls vie for four open seats on LPEA’s Board of Directors

All’s wheel that ends wheel in 2nd Ave. Sports alley caper by Missy Votel

The Idaho Stop comes to Colorado – and it’s going to be OK by Jennaye Derge

the cover A red-winged blackbird caught mid-song on some willows recently near Durango. If this doesn’t get The Beatles’ “Blackbird” stuck in your head, we don’t know what will./ Photo by Andy High

telegraph@durangotelegraph.com

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Ear to the ground:

“Wait … what’s a pope? Is there just one?”

– Someone who obviously needs to see “Conclave.”

Park and play

Seems like the next great thing in ski town real estate is not a place to park your butt for the night, but a place to park your wheels. That’s right: we’re talking parking spaces.

“If you don’t own a condo in the central core of town, it can be very convenient to have a parking spot close to everything,” Hank Carter, an Aspen realtor told The Denver Post. “During the Fourth of July here, it is so crowded. But with a covered spot, you can drive and park, no muss or fuss.”

Carter recently worked with a buyer in Aspen who bought a covered parking spot listed for $415,000. Hey, it was enclosed and only one block to Aspen Mountain’s base area. And did we mention the elevator access and storage space?

According to the Post, the priciest parking spots are those with access to skiing in ritzy resorts where housing costs are the most expensive (we’re looking at you, Telluride). The spaces are typically in condominium buildings where they are sold individually like a home, depending on HOA rules.

And speaking of Telluride, the Madeline Hotel in Mountain Village announced its new Crest Club in late 2024. The $250,000 lifetime membership (not including annual dues) could be a bargain, of sorts, since it includes parking at the swanky slopeside resort where typically a single parking spot can set you back $185,000.

But for those fans of ski-in, ski-out with money but not steps to burn, we suppose this might be a good investment. “There is an abundance of free parking in the summer,” Madeline Hotel general manager Bryan Woody told the Post. “However, in the winter, with peak dates averaging 6,000-plus skiers on the mountain, parking becomes more scarce.” In addition, with the hotel’s valet, he estimates skiers can be car to slopes in under three minutes (if they are not afraid to drive in their ski boots, of course.)

Upstate at Beaver Creek, parking spots are also predictably fetching a pretty penny. In late 2024, a parking space in a garage sold for the asking price of $250,000.

Keep in mind that each of these real estate purchases also includes annual HOA fees and taxes that vary based on the location. No word on whether sleeping in your car in said parking space is allowed. But we’re guessing car camping, no matter how stealthy, as well as brushing your teeth in the parking garage, is frowned upon.

opinion

LaVidaLocal

Ruby's choice

If I were to ask you to define the term “art,” what might you say? Would you include how it makes you feel? Would you speak about the artist or their intentions? Or would you describe it in a way that matches a definition that you might have read? What if this was broadened to include “Native art?” I have thought about this question – “What is Native art?” – scholastically for the past few months and have found different answers between my initial thoughts and my most recent. There are several factors that complicate how I might define this term, most of which are tied to its commodification. Galleries, trading posts and roadside markets provide ways to own “real” Native art for the price that is deemed permissible by the artist, and sometimes more so, by the person buying it.

When my grandmother, Ruby, was younger, her Chinle-style Navajo rugs provided an additional source of income for her family. Admittedly, it was only until last year that I learned about the periods and styles of Navajo weaving, from the early chief’s blankets to more recent styles, like the pictorial. Displayed throughout the homes of her children, they were sources of pride for our family. They showed the type of skill, craftsmanship and creativity that was rooted in her – my mother’s mother. I think we all hoped this same creativity was rooted in us. I always wondered how she priced these rugs, selling to shops and private buyers alike. Whatever they sold for, I felt like they were more valuable than the price tag that was inevitably placed on them. However, her rugs were not hung up on our walls to display any particular weaving style or show our travels. They were simply part of our home life, made not for the desires of a potential buyer but for us.

the invading Spanish. The Puebloans wove before the arrival of the Spanish using plant-based textiles, and this skill was shared with Navajo people. But with the introduction of sheep’s wool from the Spanish, Navajo weavers began to make new styles of textiles using this material. This is one of the factors that complicates “Native art” – there can be many sources of cultural exchange and cross over, and when, if ever, does one become more important than the other? Can the Spanish lay claim to creating this style of weaving, because they brought sheep while they invaded the lands of Native people? Is Navajo weaving less “Native,” because Puebloan weaving predates it? I think that Native art, at its core, does not strive for the “authenticity” that these questions seek to prove. The Spanish and Pueblo influence on Navajo weaving is a part of its legacy, but it does not define it. Instead, I believe what is important is the object’s purpose, its adaptability and how it showcases Native agency. In this light, my grandmother’s rugs become more than mere objects on the walls. She chose their colors, design and size –choices that highlight how, despite the ongoing genocide of Indigenous people and their culture for the last three centuries, she continued to practice her agency while supporting her family. Therein lies the power of Native art. Whether or not she made choices to fit what might sell or what she liked best, these were her decisions to make.

Navajo weaving developed during a period of intertribal exchange between the Diné and the Pueblo people after being displaced from their homelands by

The local hockey and ice-skating community coming together under the Durango Rink Project to try to get the puck rolling on a new and improved ice facility for Durango, as Chapman Hill is facing space and possible structural constraints.

American citizens, locally and nationwide, continuing to show up to protest Trump’s autocratic policies with last Saturday’s 50501 rally, which included some 850 attendees in Durango’s Buckley Park.

Uh-oh, Elon. Looks like your approval rating, along with your Tesla profits, are in the crapper, and you’re on your way out. On the bright side, you’ll have more time to work on your new town, Starbase, which makes us throw up a little in our mouths when we say it.

In Diné origin stories, Spider Woman was told by the Holy people that she would be able to map the universe. After discovering her weaving skills, she realized how she would be able to do so. She further developed her weaving skills, assisted by teachings and songs provided by the Holy people. Today’s weavers continue Spider Woman’s legacy. Their art, pieces that show the continued existence of Native people and their decision to bring beauty into the world, is imbued with her history and of the people who came before – and those yet to come.

– Doug Gonzalez

Vandals spray-painted graffiti on the cliffs at Baker’s Bridge, which, we might add, is on private property. This should go a long way in convincing landowners to open their property up to the public. Not.

Pope Francis, the first Latin American pontiff, who championed the poor, marginalized and oppressed with a charming, humble style, died Monday at 88. Say what you want about the Catholic Church, but he was a cool dude.

Create Art and Tea, a spot for local artists and performers to perform and display their works – as well as the only place in town to have high tea – announced it is closing this week. Kudos to Caprice Fox for her hard work, dedication and homemade scones all these years.

Sperm Rank

Get a load of this: from 1973-2018, there’s been a 51% worldwide decrease in male fertility and “nobody’s talking about it,” according to Eric Zhu, teen tech titan. So he formed the startup “Sperm Racing” to raise awareness. The ﬁrst race, between a student from USC and one from UCLA, will happen April 25 in Hollywood. There will be play-by-play commentary, instant replays and betting just like with any other sporting event. The livestreamed race will occur under a microscope on a tiny racetrack that mimics the reproductive system. This is just the ﬁrst event – Zhu would like to get celebrities or politicians involved next time, which is perfect given that they’re all nutjobs.

WritersontheRange

Eroding the rule of law

Increasingly more militaristic ICE disregards basic

by Benjamin James Waddell

“Igot lucky,” José told me. “Because they got the wrong person.” José, 28, who did not give his last name for fear of retribution from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, aka ICE, said he was leaving his house in rural Southwestern Colorado recently “when two federal SUVs pulled out, blocking my path in both directions.”

José is not a criminal, though 10 years ago he crossed the border into the United States from Mexico without legal documentation. Since then, he’s worked as a painter and a chef, has always paid federal and state taxes, and has never been in trouble with the law.

That morning, though, he was a target: “They pulled me out of the driver’s seat, forced me into one of their cars and asked me for identiﬁcation.”

Because the ICE agents were looking for someone else that day, and because rural Colorado has limited jail space to hold detained migrants, they let José go. But they told him he had to show up for an interview at an ICE substation.

José didn’t go to his interview. “I don’t want them to ﬁnd me,” he told me. “I’m always looking over my shoulder. My life is here, but I’ve moved and have to start over again.”

Jose’s experience is not unique. Scores of people with darker skin – including Native Americans – have fallen prey to the new administration’s trawl-

human rights

Throughout the past two decades, ICE has grown into an increasingly expansive, militarized operation./ Photo courtesy Colorado Rapid Response Network.

net approach to immigration enforcement.

During his campaign, President Trump repeatedly said, “I will launch the largest deportation program of criminals in the history of America.” His stated goal is to deport 1 million immigrants before 2026.

During the ﬁrst 50 days of Trump’s second term, ICE arrested nearly 33,000 people, but only half of them were convicted criminals. ICE also detained foreign students for voicing their political opinions, arrested at least one legal U.S. resident, and wrongfully held foreign visitors for weeks, including a woman from Canada who was legally in the United States.

Created as part of the Department of Homeland Security, ICE was charged with policing immigration in the aftermath of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Before

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2003, immigration enforcement was primarily handled by other federal agencies operating within a far less militarized framework. Two decades later, ICE has ballooned into a federal behemoth.

ICE says its work is essential for national security, but its more than 20,000 employees operate with extraordinary freedom. Local and county police usually know and understand the community they work in, and in case of misconduct, they can be held accountable for their actions. But not ICE.

Under Trump, ICE has become increasingly aggressive in its tactics while appearing to focus on non-criminals and activists. In recent months, ICE has concentrated on apprehending people far above the U.S.-Mexico border; used military planes as a tool of deportation; outsourced detention to third parties, including private prisons and sovereign

nations like El Salvador; and enlisted wartime law to bypass due process.

For the ﬁrst time, ICE is also employing data from the Internal Revenue Service to identify some undocumented residents – a move that could also have devastating consequences for legal residents and citizens who get swept up with the undocumented.

Nayda Benitez, a director for the Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition, oversees a state hotline where people can report ICE activity in their community.

“We’ve seen a huge increase in reports,” she said. In one Colorado town, she said, ICE showed up at a trailer park, “and they put a woman into handcuffs who was a U.S. citizen.”

As a legal advocate for immigrants in Southwestern Colorado, I see the contributions of migrants everywhere. Children of immigrants attend local schools, and their parents work in every sector of the economy, including restaurants, transportation, construction, farming and ranching, hotels, resorts and hospitals. I also see the fear that immigrants are forced to endure, and the countless ways in which ICE agents disregard our nation’s most cherished rights, including freedom of speech, due process, protection from government excess, and cruel and unusual punishment.

“If you look at authoritarian leaders throughout history,” Benitez said, “our nation is repeating some key patterns like academic censorship and the marginalization, criminalization and dehumanization of speciﬁc social groups.”

It’s time to take a stand against federal overreach, and ICE is the right place to start.

Benjamin James Waddell is a contributor to Writers on the Range, writersonthe ange.org, an independent nonproﬁt dedicated to spurring conversation about the West. He is a professor of sociology at Fort Lewis College. ■

Waddell

Trump: You’re fired!

Because I have been a citizen of the United States since 1929, I feel an obligation to defend my country.

The government is so busy cleaning up President Trump’s messes that nothing else gets done except more destruction by him.

Need I point out that Trump is destroying our food chain with tariffs? He’s terrorizing our migrants and shipping innocent farm workers out of the country. I can’t see any good he’s done since he lied his way into the Oval Ofﬁce. My solution is, ﬁre Donald Trump, shave his head and ship him off to El Salvador.

– Dorothy Kerns, Bayfield

Keep LPEA moving forward

Roughly 25 years ago, I attended my ﬁrst LPEA annual meeting, and the keynote speaker from Tri-State gave a talk titled, “The Myth of Renewable Energy.” He mainly spoke about how bad renewables are, how coal is the answer and that renewables are dead in the water.

Since then, myself and many others have worked hard to bring LPEA into the 21st century. Please don’t put us back another 25 years.

That’s why I strongly support the re-election of incumbents Holly Metzler (D1), Joe Lewandowski (D3) and John Witchel (D4). These board members have shown the experience, vision and transparency that this century demands.

– Michael Rendon, former LPEA board president, Durango

What about capital credits?

As a member-owner of Tri-State, LPEA receives annual capital credit allocations – a share of Tri-State’s proﬁts based on how much power LPEA purchases. These are recorded as patronage capital, essentially a form of equity held in LPEA’s name. Over time, TriState retires these credits, returning them as cash payments to LPEA and its members.

Between 2019-24, LPEA received more than $9.4 million in new allocations and more than $10.5 million in cash retirements. These dollars represent real, earned value returned to our local cooperative – value built up over decades of participation in Tri-State.

Now, as LPEA considers paying $209 million to exit its contract with Tri-State, a critical question arises: What happens to our remaining patronage capital, valued at nearly $70 million as of March 2025?

Tri-State’s bylaws state that members do not own a portion of Tri-State’s assets. However, patronage capital is a recognized ﬁnancial obligation – a long-term promise to return value to members.

If LPEA leaves, will we still receive our share? Is it postponed, forfeited or transformed? Does our exit cancel the obligation, or will it be honored over time?

Before LPEA moves forward with a $209 million payment, members deserve clear answers. Otherwise, we risk walking away from tens of millions of dollars in member equity with no guarantee of repayment.

This is our money. We have the right to know.

– Ken Fusco, Durango

Barber brings experience

I’ve been an LPEA member for 33 years, and I think it is important to have directors that know the utility business, like Greg Barber, running for District 2 (south and west La Plata County).

LPEA has made decisions that put us on a new path for the future. It is more important than ever to have solid leadership in the board of directors and ﬁscal responsibility for its members.

There is no incumbent in LPEA’s District 2. We need a director with experience in the utility industry that can help us navigate through these changing times. Experience matters. Greg Barber spent the last 14 years working as a CPA for a large utility providing a full complement of services. He is very familiar with the ﬁnances, member services, regulation and operations of a utility and the rigor it takes to provide affordable, safe and reliable services.

I urge you to elect Greg Barber as our new District 2 director.

– Christie Ilg Bultmann, Durango

LPEA members deserve respect

The LPEA Board of Directors, on its own, decided to break a contract with Tri-State that included proven reliable power supply and a voting membership in that co-op of co-ops. The board did not consult member/ owners.

That board sold our subsidiary company, FastTrack,

potentially breaking LPEA’s own bylaws by not bringing that action to a membership vote.

The board hired a CEO from outside the industry for a strikingly high salary. That $500,000 +/- amount has been mentioned in public; no director has disputed it.

When the board and new CEO Chris Hanson are questioned about these decisions and the resulting rate increase, they change the topic, deny the premise of the challenge and change their vocabulary. They say the cost to leave Tri-State is not a buy-out, and they divide the cost into different categories. They natter about inﬂation and tariffs. The bottom line remains.

Remember, the directors are not playing at this high-stakes table with their own money. They are relying on us as their deep pocket, their sugar daddy.

It is time for the board to treat LPEA member/ owners with respect.

–

Ann McCoy Harold, Durango

Looking back to look ahead

My grandfather Alva Short homesteaded on the lower Florida Mesa in 1900. He and my grandmother, Belle, initially lived in a dugout where they had their first of 12 children, all surviving into adulthood. They were smart, hard workers, and Alva was filled with ingenuity. He installed the first electric generator on the mesa. Alva was a founding member of La Plata Electric Co-op, now La Plata Electric Association. In reflecting on how successful my grandparents were, especially given the times, it is obvious they had an eye on the future. Alva lived in the same place until his death at 99. He followed local and world news; we spoke often about current events. I believe Alva would

advise us to retain our best thought leaders, move forward with renewable, sustainable energy and avoid looking back and hanging onto fossil fuels.

We have a good slate of experienced, knowledgeable and thoughtful board members who are already guiding us with this transition. Vote for John Witchel, Joe Lewandowski or Holly Metzler through your LPEA account at https://lpea.coop or make sure to submit your ballot through the mail.

–

Karen Zink, Sunnyside

Trump is Biden’s fault

“Former Vice President Joe Biden’s top advisers and prominent Democrats outside the Biden campaign have recently revived a long-running debate whether Biden should publicly pledge to serve only one term, with Biden himself signaling to aides that he would serve only a single term.” – From the Dec. 11, 2019, online edition of “Politico.”

To all those who write letters to the editor and gather at Buckley Park castigating the Trump administration, Joe Biden’s ego (along with Jill Biden) created the perfect storm that snatched defeat from the jaws of victory and saw the election of Trump. First off, had Biden stuck to his one-term promise, the Democrats could have had an open primary to replace Kamala Harris, a DEI hire. And Tim Walz would have never seen the light of day. There were at least three or four Democrats who might have beat Trump and helped Democrats retain the House and Senate.

I realize that I’m dealing with common sense here, and that makes it difﬁcult for progressives to grasp. So

quit calling those who voted to replace a doddering old man and a DEI hire Nazis and worse.

– Dennis Pierce, Durango

LPEA on path to smarter power

After years of careful planning, LPEA is ﬁnally on the verge of delivering the affordable and reliable power our community deserves. We didn’t get here by accident – it took steady leadership and clear vision to untangle us from Tri-State’s costly, restrictive contracts and secure a new power supply agreement that will give us lower rates and greater local control.

As LPEA moves forward with these critical, longoverdue changes, we need that same experienced leadership to guide the next steps. Re-electing Joe Lewandowski, Holly Metzler and John Witchel to the LPEA Board of Directors is a no-brainer. Under their guidance, LPEA navigated complex contract negotiations with integrity and foresight. These directors showed up for public forums to keep members informed and listen to our concerns. And they kept rates stable for ﬁve years, even while inﬂation soared more than 30% and Tri-State repeatedly raised prices.

In an increasingly volatile economy, power stability matters more than ever. That means keeping decisions – and dollars – close to home. Let’s re-elect Metzler, Lewandowski and Witchel so they can keep us sailing smoothly on this incredible path they’ve charted for lower costs, smarter power and a stronger future.

Vote online via SmartHub starting April 21, or return your mail ballot by 4 p.m. May 20.

– Emily Golden, Durango

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by Allen Best

Matters of little consequence often get major time and attention. And vice versa. Two energy bills in the Colorado Legislature this year, one about nuclear energy and the second about electrical transmission, illustrate this.

The ﬁrst bill, HB25-1040, which is now law, declared that nuclear energy is clean. It proclaims that utilities can meet clean-energy targets with nuclear. It also allows private projects access to ﬁnancing restricted to clean energy development.

The bill sailed through the Legislature. Gov. Jared Polis signed it into law March 31. For believers, those who want to believe that nuclear energy will be the answer, it was a big win.

To what effect? Likely none. Forget about nuclear waste and safety concerns: cost of energy from new nuclear plants remains exorbitant.

Some of this was sorted through in a four-hour committee hearing in March. Chuck Kutscher was among several dozen individuals given two minutes to testify. He deserved more time. A nuclear engineer by training, he subsequently moved into renewables, retiring from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory several years ago.

At a later meeting in Jefferson County, Kutscher explained why he expects nuclear energy to play no role in Colorado’s energy transition. It comes down to cost.

“I like to give credit where credit is due. And the fact is that nuclear power in this country has saved a heck of a lot of carbon dioxide and air pollution emissions,” he said. “Nuclear provides almost half of U.S. carbon-free electricity, which is pretty impressive.”

As for costs, Kutscher cited two metrics courtesy of Lazard, a ﬁnancial com-

A tale of two bills

pany that monitors electrical generation. The cost of building new nuclear plants comes in at $8,000-$13,000 per kilowatt of generating capacity. Solar comes in at $1,400, wind at $2,000.

A broader metric, the levelized cost, includes capital, fuel and operating costs over the life of an energy plant. “The longer a plant runs, the lower its life-cycle costs, because it’s producing more energy,” Kutscher explained. By this measure, nuclear still comes up short: 18 cents a kilowatt-hour compared to solar and wind for 5 and 6 cents, respectively. Might costs drop with a new generation of small modular reactors? So-called SMRs can generate 300 megawatts or less. One was planned in the West, but in 2023 the Utah Associated Municipal Power Systems pulled out of its contract with NuScale – because of cost.

If costs make nuclear a non-starter in Colorado, can renewables deliver us to an emission-free electrical system? The sun vanishes daily, and sometimes winds on our Eastern Plains die down, even for days. Kutscher sees possible solutions in improving storage technologies and expanded transmission. Transmission can enable electricity to be shared across multiple time zones and weather systems.

Even moving electricity around Colorado more efﬁciently has value. The second bill, SB24-127, proposes to do that. It would require investor-owned utilities to investigate tools called advanced transmission technologies. They will enable more use from existing transmission lines and associated infrastructure.

Larry Milosevich, a Lafayette resident, decided six years ago to devote

himself to fewer pursuits. He says he chose the role of advanced technologies for transmission because of its oversized impact. The transmission system developed during the last century has many inefﬁciencies.

“I would love to see advanced transmission technologies get a little more light,” he says. Why hasn’t it happened? “It doesn’t have sex appeal.”

This bill will not solve all problems. “You need a lot of arrows in your quiver to get there. And it’s not one technology that’s going to save the day,” says Leah Rubin Shen, managing director of Advanced Energy United, an industry association that advocates for technologies and policies that advance decarbonization. More transmission will still be needed. Approvals take time. Using these tools can more rapidly expand capacity at lower cost. “We characterize it as a no-regrets solution,” says Rubin Shen.

State Sen. Cleave Simpson, a Republican from Alamosa, was the primary author of the bill. “We can increase the capacity and resilience of our infrastructure without having to undertake expensive, large-scale construction projects,” he told committee members at a March meeting.

The committee that day heard from fewer than a dozen witnesses. It passed an amended bill and moved on within 45 minutes. Several weeks before, the same committee heard nuclear testimony for hours.

In a later interview, Simpson described the bill, slimmed greatly in ambition from its original iteration, as “maybe a tiny step forward, but a doable one.”

Unlike nuclear, not the answer but a doable one.

Allen Best produces Big Pivots, which covers the energy and water transitions in Colorado. See BigPivots.com ■

SB24-127, sponsored by Sen. Cleave Simpson, R-Alamosa, would require investor-owned utilities to investigate advanced transmission technologies, which would enable more efficient use from existing transmission lines and infrastructure./ Photo by Allen Best

Power play

Nine hopefuls vie for four open seats on LPEA board

by Telegraph Staff

Don’t look now, but there’s another ballot headed to local mailboxes – or at least those belonging to LPEA members. The local electric co-op is holding elections for four seats (one in each district) for its 12-member board of directors. Unlike the somewhat snoozy elections of recent years, there are contested races in each district this time. Winning candidates will serve three-year terms.

New this year, LPEA is offering online voting. Members can vote by logging into their “SmartHub” account (where they pay their bills) and clicking on the "Vote Now" button, which will take them to a secure voting portal.

For those who prefer the old ways, folks can either mail in their ballots or drop them off at LPEA’s ofﬁces in Durango or Pagosa Springs.

The three races that most affect Telegraph readers will be in District 2 (south and west La Plata County); District 3 (City of Durango); and District 4 (north and east La Plata County.)

In District 1 (Archuleta County), two-term incumbent Holly Metzler is running against Dusty Mars, an Arboles engineer who ran unsuccessfully for a board seat last year. In District 2, current board member Dan Huntington is not seeking reelection.

A quick rundown of candidates follows (for in-depth candidate statements, go to lpea.coop/elections):

District 2 - south and west La Plata County

• Greg Barber - Recently retired CPA who worked at a large private utility ﬁrm

• Brad Blake - Former La Plata County Commissioner

• Terry Greiner – Senior sales executive for the technology company Oracle

District 3 - City of Durango

• Joe Lewandowski (incumbent) - Retired journalist and public information ofﬁcer

• David Peters - Retired executive from Chevron and former chair of the local Republican Party

District 4 - north and east La Plata County

• John Witchel (incumbent) - CEO of solar company King Energy

• Lyle McKnight - Founder of Fun Center motorsports and former county commissioner candidate

Seven of the nine candidates took part in a virtual candidates forum hosted by the La Plata County Democrats earlier this month. (Peters and McKnight did not participate.)

During the forum, all seven stressed the importance of reliability and affordability for the local power supply. However, candidates were split on LPEA’s decision to leave wholesale provider Tri-State next year, with Metzler, Greiner, Lewandowski and Witchel strongly in favor of the exit.

Both Barber and Blake expressed reservations, while Mars said he did not have enough information on the

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exit due to lack of transparency (transparency, or lack thereof, has been a recurring theme in the election).

All candidates did say they supported utilizing a mix of power sources.

For what it’s worth, Common Sense LPEA, a rightleaning group that opposes the Tri-State exit, has endorsed Mars, Blake, Peters and McKnight (we tried to visit the website this week, but it was blocked.)

Ballots were mailed April 21 and must be returned by 4 p.m. Tues., May 20. Members are also invited to vote in person at LPEA’s annual meeting at its Durango ofﬁce at 12:30 p.m. Wed., May 21. Results will also be announced at the meeting.

LPEA is a member-owned, nonproﬁt co-op serving La Plata and Archuleta counties, as well as parts of Hinsdale, Mineral and San Juan counties. It is the ﬁfth-largest co-op in Colorado, with 36,500 members. ■

1101 Main Ave. • DGO, CO

Barber Blake Lewandowski Peters Witchel

Metzler Mars McKnight Greiner

LocalNews

Mistaken identity

Imposter employee absconds with $6,500 in deliveries from 2nd Ave. Sports

by Missy Votel

Where else could an alley drifter be mistaken for a bike shop employee by a UPS driver and entrusted with $6,500 in goods, only to abscond with said goods? But wait, it gets better. The alley absconder left a trail of clues in his misdeeds – including a cameo on a surveillance video. Within 24 hours, the case is blown wide open by the small-town sleuthing grapevine, as were the cardboard boxes containing the goods, which, unfortunately, were not all that good at that point.

Ah, Durangolandia, USA, that’s where.

By now, most of us with wiﬁ connections have seen the social media posts by 2nd Ave. Sports of a tall, mysterious trucker-hat-plaid-wearing man in the alley behind the store after-hours on Mon., April 14, around the time a rather expensive UPS delivery occurred. (A lot of us also probably asked, “Wait – doesn’t that guy work there?” Sure, the muck boots and suspenders seemed a bit “off,” but around these parts, bike mechanic gorp core is a ﬁne line.)

Well, as it turns out, he was most deﬁnitely not an employee. “The dead giveaway were the muck boots; our mechanics are not going to wear muck boots to work,” store manager Asa Robbins said.

Rather, the man was part of a small but dedicated crew of local “pickers” who dive downtown dumpsters in search of discarded treasures (thus the need for the muck boots, we would assume.) According to Robbins, the dumpster behind 2nd Ave. Sports has become a prime target over the years, to the point of becoming a problem.

“Our trash can has been vandalized so many times by people looking for bike parts. It’s a continuous saga,” said Robbins. The issue became so bad that the store began locking the dumpster. However, the last time Robbins did that, someone set the dumpster on ﬁre, so the store went back to the open-dumpster policy.

On the eve of the fateful heist, the alleged perp (we say “alleged” because no charges were ﬁled, but more on that later) had been perusing the dumpster goodies for about an hour. He even greeted store owner Gary Provenchar on his way home, telling Provenchar that he was being a “good steward of the dumpster” for which Provenchar thanked him.

It was about an hour later, at 7:30 p.m., that the UPS truck rattled up. And while UPS has orders not to deliver to the store after hours, well, we can only assume the driver, ﬂustered and blustered, made the same assumption some of us did about Mr. Muck Boots.

“Unfortunately, she saw this guy and started talking to him. They wandered around the outside of the store to see if anyone was inside, and then he proceeded to convince her that he worked at the shop,” Robbins said. “I feel for the UPS driver, but it just boiled down to her deciding to give stuff to a dude wandering around a garbage can.”

Above: A (real) employee of 2nd Ave. Sports unlocks the shop’s dumpster this week. On April 14, a local “picker” (inset) posing as an employee intercepted about $6,500 worth of deliveries from UPS for the store. Thanks to some local sleuthing, he was later tracked down and returned the items./

In all, the perp netted 17 packages, containing everything from a bicycle chain to a swanky new fork, a Trek bike seat and a brand new road bike. “He took the cardboard boxes behind our Zircon, opened them up and shoved what he wanted into the bike box and wandered down the alley,” said Robbins.

Of course, this entire scenario was pieced together the following morning, when Robbins showed up to work to ﬁnd the opened and discarded remnants of his UPS delivery stashed behind the Zircon. “I thought, ‘OK, well here we go,’” he said.

Robbins consulted the store’s surveillance video, which had a pretty good capture of the alleged perp. “I didn’t want to jump to conclusions, but it was indicative of him being there,” said Robbins.

Next, he did what any good detective would do and consulted nearby watering holes to see if anyone recognized the man. Before long, he was identiﬁed as the former ex of a friend of a friend (who also shall remain nameless, because we all make mistakes.) Eventually, they were able to track down a name and number, and

since this is the iphone age, texted the perp. After some ﬁnagling, and an apology, he agreed to return the items to the store.

“He brought most of the stuff back, but it was all damaged or unusable,” said Robbins.

Fortunately, as they say in the bike shop world, all’s “wheel” that ends “wheel.” (Just kidding, no one says that. Please don’t.) The shop called its suppliers and replaced the orders, and the suppliers put in theft claims to be reimbursed by UPS.

“It just set us back about a week with our orders,” said Robbins. “It was not a huge deal; it was just a terrible inconvenience for a few days.”

As for the perp, the store has decided not to press charges, because, “It’s just not worth it,” said Robbins. “Everyone was made whole. We don’t want to make it any bigger than it already is.”

But be forewarned: if you’re thinking about hanging around the dumpster behind 2nd Ave. in your plaid Western shirt and trucker hat in the hopes of scoring some free bike loot, they’re onto you. ■

Photo by Missy Votel

Ask the cyclista

The Colorado Safety Stop and who is the real a$$hole

by Jennaye Derge

I’ve often wondered why some vehicle drivers hate sharing the road with cyclists so much. I think it has a lot to do with cyclists’ speed. We go slower than motor vehicles, and so we delay them by a few seconds from getting to work or going home to feed their dog. And that can be annoying, especially for the dogs. Largely though, I think vehicle drivers are often kind of scared of cyclists. They’re scared, because cyclists are vulnerable and also sometimes somewhat unpredictable. We can make quick movements, and we travel in a space that isn’t the middle of the road, so all eyes aren’t on us. We often ride with the ﬂow of trafﬁc, but we’re harder to see, because we’re smaller and less assuming. We do have rules and laws, but a handful of them are different than those of cars, although some of them are the same. A lot of us ride unlawfully and sometimes quite aggressively, but speaking for myself, it’s often to make sure I get where I’m going safely, and that I don’t get hit by a car.

There are a lot of unknowns when it comes to sharing the road with cyclists, and so I often get questions – mostly from cyclists themselves – about the rights, rules and laws of sharing the road. Where are cyclists allowed and not allowed? What are the laws? What are safe practices? Since I often receive many of the same questions, I’ve decided to start answering these questions publicly, so we all may learn how to safely, effectively and happily share the road together.

A few weeks ago, I received this question with a speciﬁc scenario:

Q: “I’ve been yelled at by drivers twice now when going north on Florida for not stopping at the new stop signs. I never just go through if someone from Holly is stopped ﬁrst to give them shoulder room. But it’s always a guy yelling from some beater car in the southbound lane.

Am I the asshole? We have the OK to use the stop as a yield, correct? Just trying to justify my own actions, but I’m curious if I’m alone. I usually respond with a

Hey, beater car guy: don’t go yelling at the cyclists rolling through a stop sign. Under Colorado law, it is perfectly legal for them to treat it as a yield if the coast is clear and they have the right of way. Not only does it help facilitate the flow of traffic, but it is actually safer for everyone./ Photo by Jennaye Derge

thumbs up or a smile, but it’s getting scarier and scarier out there in the commute. Any advice?”

– Critter G

A: No, you are not the asshole (at least not in this scenario), and what you are referring to is known as the “Colorado Safety Stop.”

The Colorado Safety Stop was passed on April 13, 2022, (happy belated anniversary), and it mimics the infamous “Idaho Stop” or “California Roll,” which allows cyclists to treat stop signs as yield signs, and treat stop lights as stop signs.

Meaning that if a cyclist comes upon a stop sign, and there are no other cars present, they can slowly continue through the stop sign without stopping. However, if there are vehicles already present at the intersection, the cyclist must yield and wait for the other vehicle(s) to proceed through the intersection. In addition, if a cyclist comes upon a stop light in a similar situation, and there is no oncoming trafﬁc, they have the right of way and can proceed through the red light.

Some caveats: you (the cyclist) have to slow down to about 10 miles per hour in order to proceed through the intersection. You also have to be at least 15 years old or in the presence of an adult

to legally perform the Safety Stop. Hopefully that clears things up a bit. If not, and even though many of us have gone decades without a driving course refresher, there is always Google to help us with laws, and deﬁning what “right of way” means. And also how to use your turn signal (unrelated, but we could all use a refresher).

So, next time you’re at a stop sign or stop light, and you have the right of way, you’re an adult and you are proceeding at a moderate rate of speed, you are legally allowed to roll on through (in the same breath, if there are vehicles already present at the intersection, you must yield to them). And if a guy yells at you, he’s probably just jealous that you get to ride your bike, and he is stuck in a beater car.

I already have a few more questions brewing in the bucket, but if you’d like to send me yours, email info@bikedurango.org. Please keep questions respectful and civil.

Also, please consider supporting safer, better and more bike-friendly commuting in Durango by visiting www.bikedurango.org and becoming a member. Follow us on IG @bikedurango to stay up to date with what we have going on. ■

Thursday24

Undergraduate Research Symposium & Gala, 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Fort Lewis College campus

Durango Green Drinks, 5-7 p.m., 11th Street Station, 1101 Main Ave.

Songwriter’s Showcase, 5-7 p.m., Four Leaves Winery, 528 Main Ave.

Spring Clothing Swap, 5:30 p.m., Ska World HQ, 225 Girard St.

Open Mic Poetry Nite, 6-8 p.m., Create Art & Tea, 1015 Main Ave.

Weekly Dart Tournament, 5:30 p.m., Union Social House, 3062 Main Ave.

Crafting Healthy Soil: Worms, Bokashi and Compost, 5:30-6:30 p.m., SOIL Outdoor Learning Lab, Riverview Elementary School, 2900 Mesa Ave.

“Stories of Indigenous Resistance: Turtle Island to Palestine,” presented by The Durango Palestine Solidarity Coalition, 5:30-7:30 p.m., Durango Public Library, 1900 E. 3rd Ave.

Bluegrass Jam, 6 p.m., Durango Beer & Ice Co., 3000 Main Ave.

Free Poetry Workshops, 6-7 p.m., Fort Lewis Mesa Library, 11274 Highway 140, Hesperus

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.

Animas Roots plays, 6-9 p.m., Union Social House, 3062 Main Ave.

Pete Giuliani plays, 6-9 p.m., Durango Hot Springs, 6475 CR 203

Rob Webster plays, 6-9:30 p.m., Ofﬁce Spiritorium, 699 Main Ave.

“Voices Unbound” open-mic feminism poetry, 7-9 p.m., The Subterrain, 900 Main Ave., Ste. F

Drag Trivia Night hosted by Aria PettyOne, 7:309:30 p.m., Starlight Lounge, 937 Main Ave.

Open Mic, 8-11 p.m., The Tangled Horn, 275 E. 8th Ave.

Friday25

ASA Summer Volunteer Orientation, 11 a.m. & 5:30 p.m., Adaptive Sports Association, 463 Turner Drive, Ste. 105

Care and Share Mobile Market, 1-2 p.m., ELHI Community Center, 115 Ute St., Ignacio

Durango Wine Experience Walkabout, 4-6:30 p.m., Downtown Durango

Black Velvet plays, 5:30 p.m., Diamond Belle Saloon, 699 Main Ave.

“Stand up for Local First” comedy show and fundraiser, 6 p.m., Durango Arts Center, 802 E. 2nd Ave.

“Sing What You Think” karaoke, 6-8 p.m., EsoTerra Ciderworks, 558 Main Ave.

Mike Testa plays, 6-9:30 p.m., Ofﬁce Spiritorium, 699 Main Ave.

Battle of the Bands, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Stillwater Music, 1316 Main Ave., Ste C

“Guys and Dolls: A Musical Fable of Broadway,” presented by Merely Players, 7 p.m., Merely Underground, 789 Tech Center Dr.

The FLC Jazz Ensemble and FLC Social Dance Club, 7 p.m., VFW Post 4031, 1550 Main Ave.

Open Mic Comedy, 7-9 p.m., EsoTerra, 558 Main

An Evening with David Sedaris, 7:30 p.m., Community Concert Hall at FLC

“The Moral Crisis of Our Time: How FaithBased Groups Are Addressing Climate Change,” panel discussion, 7:30 p.m., Unitarian Universal Fellowship, 419 San Juan Dr.

Saturday26

Tack & Equipment Consignment Sale fundraiser for 4H, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., La Plata County Fairgrounds

Durango Devo Bike Swap, 9 a.m. – 7 p.m., Chapman Hill Ice Arena

Birth Partner Workshop, 10-11:30 a.m., Durango Public Library, 1900 E. 3rd Ave.

National Drug Take Back Day, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Durango Police Station Alley, 990 E. 2nd Ave.

D&D Club, 12-3 p.m., Sunnyside Library, 75 CR 218

Yarn Meetup, 1-3 p.m., Durango Public Library, 1900 E. 3rd Ave.

Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser, presented by Indivisible Durango, 1:30-3:30 p.m., Durango Public Library, 1900 E. 3rd Ave.

Durango Wine Experience Grand Tasting, 3-6 p.m., Buckley Park

“If I Cannot Fly, Then Let Me Sing,” presented by Durango Choral Society, 4-5:30 p.m., Christ the King Lutheran Church, 495 Florida Rd.

Seven Sharp 11 and BluPhunk Collective play, 5 p.m., Mancos Brewing Co., 484 Hwy 160 E. Frontage Rd., Mancos

La Plata County Dems Roosevelt Fundraising Dinner, with keynote speaker Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser, 5-8 p.m., Fort Lewis College Student Union Ballroom

Karaoke, 6 p.m., Durango Beer & Ice Co., 3000 Main Ave.

Dana Ariel and The Comin’ Up Roses play, 6-9 p.m., The Tangled Horn, 275 E. 8th Ave.

Carute Roma plays, 6-9 p.m., Union Social House, 3062 Main Ave.

Gary Watkins plays, 6-9 p.m., Cliffside Bar and Grille, 314 Tamarron Dr.

Matt Rupnow plays, 6-9:30 p.m., Ofﬁce Spiritorium, 699 Main Ave.

Gypsy Jazz and Swing Dance Lesson, 6-10 p.m., American Legion, 878 E. 2nd Ave.

“Guys and Dolls: A Musical Fable of Broadway,” presented by Merely Players, 7 p.m., Merely Underground, 789 Tech Center Dr.

Sunday27

Board Game Sundays, 12-3 p.m., Lola’s Place, 725 E. 2nd Ave.

Irish Jam Session, 12:30-3 p.m., Durango Beer & Ice Co., 3000 Main Ave.

“Guys and Dolls: A Musical Fable of Broadway,” presented by Merely Players, 2 p.m., Merely Underground, 789 Tech Center Dr.

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.

Ben Gibson plays, 6-9 p.m., Ofﬁce Spiritorium, 699 Main Ave.

“Trunk,” an interactive one-person show by Riley Samuel Merritt, 7 p.m., The Powerhouse, 1333 Camino del Rio

San Juan Symphony Youth Orchestra Spring Concert, 7 p.m., Community Concert Hall at FLC

Monday28

Death Café, 4-5:30 p.m., Durango Public Library, 1900 E. 3rd Ave.

Sunnyside Library Book Club, 5:30-7 p.m., Sunnyside Library, 75 CR 218

Adam Swanson plays, 5:30-10:30 p.m., Diamond Belle Saloon, 699 Main Ave.

AskRachel Pass wore-out, heavy chewers and eggs-istential crisis

Interesting fact: If you need a new password, a passphrase might be your best bet – some experts believe a sevenword passphrase is essentially unhackable. Unless it’s your dog’s name.

Dear Rachel, I’ve hit my critical mass for password retention. For a few years, I could remember them all. Then I had to resort to repeating them (gasp). Then to a notebook. Now I just can’t. I had to create an account to order from the QR code at a restaurant, and it broke me. I’m done. Help?

– 0v3rL0aD3d

Dear Alpha Numeric, Passwords are so passé. Everyone now is using TFA, which stands for “this, frigging again?” My email, of course, requires its own one-time passcode sent to my backup email, which is easily hackable because it’s the Yahoo! account I opened in middle school, but who cares because that’s where I send

Cowboy Tuesdays, 12-3 p.m., Diamond Belle Saloon, 699 Main Ave.

Neighborhood Meeting for Proposed RV Park, 5:30-7 p.m., La Plata County Fairgrounds Extension Building and also via Zoom Meeting ID 371987878

Terry Rickard plays, 6 p.m., Diamond Belle Saloon, 699 Main Ave.

Sean Farley plays, 6-9 p.m., Durango Hot Springs, 6475 CR 203

Durango Herald Opinion Editor Ellen Stein talks to Rotary Club of Durango about the state of journalism in rural Colorado, 6-7 p.m., Strater Hotel, 699 Main Ave.

Open Mic, 7 p.m., Starlight, 937 Main

Wednesday30

Wednesday Morning Bird Walks, 8-9:30 a.m., Botanic Gardens at Durango Public Library, 1900 E. 3rd Ave.

Donny Johnson plays, 5:30-9 p.m., Diamond Belle Saloon, 699 Main Ave.

Word Honey Poetry Workshop with Kalista Peña, 6:30-8 p.m., Durango Public Library, 1900 E. 3rd Ave.

all the junk mail. If someone can ﬁnd my one-time passcode in there before it expires, they can have it.

– Cryptically, Rachel

Dear Rachel,

Riddle me this: My dog will destroy any stuffed animal you give him in about three minutes. But, it’s only outside. Inside, he will carry them around and sleep on them. Never once in three years has he murdered an inside toy. I don’t want to deprive him of the joy of outside toys, but I can’t sustain that rate. Any ideas?

– Inside Out

Dear Outside In,

This feels so obvious that maybe you overlooked it. How about sturdy outside toys and fuzzy inside ones? If he only likes the ﬂuff, I suggest the ones that have a thick rope skeleton that withstands heavy-duty chewing. My friends have those. Granted, they have them for their human children (don’t

Enjoy mountain living at its ﬁnest in this beautifully remodeled studio. Oﬀering stunning views, this thoughtfully designed space combines modern amenities with a cozy atmosphere. Enjoy on-site features such as pools, and tennis and pickleball courts. Located just minutes from Purgatory and other outdoor activities. Whether looking for a weekend getaway or a year-round residence, this is the ideal base. MLS#821409

ask), but sounds like a good idea for pups, too.

– Fuzzy wuzzy, Rachel

Dear Rachel,

The egg crisis seems to be getting a little better. Or have I just acclimated? I still eat fewer eggs because it feels … like the right thing to do, but I kept the last few egg cartons I emptied. I leave them in the fridge so my friends will think I’m rolling in dough … erm, or at least eggs. It’s the new status symbol. How else can I look wealthy in 2025 when everyone else is panicking?

– Hatching Plans

Dear Shell of a Man, Easy, yo. The best status symbol of 2025 is walking down the street like you don’t have a care in the world. Answering “How are you?” with an actual smile. Being one of those insiders doing insider trading. Using those resources

Email Rachel at telegraph@durango telegraph.com

to pay for a top-tier password manager that generates passwords for you and buying your dogs (plural) all the stuffed animals they can manage. And not the cheap ones at TJ Maxx, either. – Making it rain, Rachel

FreeWillAstrology

by Rob Brezsny

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Aries ﬁlmmaker Akira Kurosawa devoted meticulous attention to weather conditions. He would postpone shooting a particular scene for days, waiting for the exact right blend of wind, clouds or precipitation for ideal ambiance. I recommend you adopt his patient sense of timing in the coming weeks. While you typically prefer direct action, now is the time to coordinate your desire to get what you need with life’s changing conditions. What advantages might you gain by waiting for the ripest moments?

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): You can’t see or hold the wind, though you can feel its force and observe its effects. It scatters seeds far and wide, dispersing them to grow in unexpected places. When harnessed by turbines, the wind is a renewable energy source. Winds inﬂuence daily weather by transporting water and heat. I have summarized wind’s qualities, because I see this upcoming phase as being wind-like. You won’t necessarily have to be obvious to spread your inﬂuence. You will be able to work behind the scenes in potent ways. Who knows where your seeds will land and germinate?

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): The Earth’s ﬁrst ecological crisis happened 2.5 billion years ago. Ancient bacteria proliferated. The only problem was, they produced an abundance of oxygen, which was toxic to all the other life forms. And yet that bump in evolution was ultimately essential in the rise of complex organisms that thrive on oxygen, like us. We wouldn’t be here today without bacteria’s initially problematic intervention. Nothing as major or epic will occur for you in the coming weeks. But I suspect that what may initially seem disruptive could ultimately generate positive outcomes. Prime yourself to transform challenges into opportunities for growth. For best results, set aside your beliefs about what’s necessary for progress.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): From the 17th- 19th centuries, Paris was famous for its salons, where artists, writers and big thinkers exchanged ideas and inspired each other. The salons were often orchestrated by illustrious, educated women in their private homes. They were hotbeds of networking and innovation. Listening and learning were key elements. Now would be an excellent time for you to organize, host or encourage similar gatherings, Cancerian. You have extra power to facilitate the stellar socializing that generates zesty connections and spreads invigorating inﬂuences.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Harriet Tubman (1822–1913) was one of the bravest Americans who ever lived. After escaping enslavement, she heroically returned to other Southern plantations many times to help free enslaved people. To accomplish her miraculous rescues, she relied in part on her dreams and visions –what she called “divine guidance” – to navigate through challenging situations. I suspect you will soon have access to similar assets: extraordinary courage and help from unusual or even supernatural sources. Use these gifts wisely, Leo!

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): The nations of planet Earth launched 263 space ﬂights in 2024 and are on track for more than 300 in 2025. Most of the satellites and spacecraft are devoted to scientiﬁc research. A relatively small portion is dedicated to communication, navigation and military uses. I would love for you to have an equally high level of exploratory and experimental energy in coming weeks, Virgo. You will align yourself with cosmic rhythms if you spend more time than usual investigating the frontiers. It’s time to expand and extend yourself!

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): The oldest living organism on Earth is a bristlecone pine tree nicknamed “Methuselah.” Almost 4,800 years old, it resides somewhere in California’s White Mountains, though its precise location is kept secret to protect it. In the spirit of shielding and nurturing valuable things, I urge you to consider maintaining similar safeguards in the coming weeks. Like Methuselah, your precious processes and creations might thrive best when allowed to grow free from undue attention. You may beneﬁt from maintaining privacy and silence about certain matters as they develop.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): I love to gaze out my office window at Gallinas Creek during high tide. At certain interludes, the water is perfectly still, reflecting the sky in every detail. My conscious mind knows the difference between the real sky and reflected sky, but my eyes can’t discern. That’s a helpful metaphor especially for you in the coming weeks. It will be crucial for you to maintain an acute awareness of what’s genuine and what’s illusory.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Sagittarian anthropologist Margaret Mead revolutionized her ﬁeld. She didn’t study other cultures from a distance with a detached perspective. Instead, she learned their lan-

guages and immersed herself in their daily lives. So she earned the intimate understanding to conclude, “What people say, what people do, and what they say they do are entirely different things.” This is a crucial principle for you right now. You must directly observe people’s actions rather than simply believing what they say about themselves – or what others say about them. You must look beyond surface declarations to understand the deeper rhythms and patterns. For best results, be a devoted participant, not an uninvolved judge.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Capricorn mystic Alan Watts wrote “The Book: On the Taboo Against Knowing Who You Are.” He proposed that each of us is far more glorious than our separate, isolated egos. It’s difﬁcult to come to this understanding, however, since our culture conspires to hide it from us. That’s the bad news. The good news, Capricorn, is that you will have an unprecedented chance to partly shatter this taboo in coming weeks. I have high hopes you will discover deep truths about yourself that have previously been unavailable.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Beginning in 1946, Bedouins exploring caves near the Dead Sea discovered an immense trove of ancient documents written on parchment. These manuscripts provided many new revelations into early Christianity, Biblical texts, and the history and culture of Judaism. I suspect that in the coming weeks, you may experience a metaphorical equivalent of this breakthrough and unveiling. To prepare, meditate on these questions: 1. What mysterious parts of your life story would you like to have illuminated? 2. About which aspects of your past would you like to receive new truths? 3. Is there anything missing in your understanding of who you really are?

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): White light enters a glass prism and is translated on the other side into a rainbow of colors. That’s because each color rides its own wavelength, even while seamlessly blended in the white light, and then gets bent differently by the prism. The magic of the prism is that it reveals the hidden spectrum within, the latent diversity contained within the apparently monolithic beam of white light. In the coming weeks, Pisces, I predict that you will be like a prism, bringing out vibrancy in situations or relationships that may seem nondescript or mundane. Your ability to discern and appreciate multiple perspectives will enable you to create an intriguing kind of harmony. You will have the power to notice and reveal beauty that has been veiled or unnoticed.

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

Announcements

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 !

Get Your Wine On

At the Durango Wine Experience! Tickets @ durangowine.com

Rose Duds Huge Earth Day Weekend blowout sale! Items starting at $1! Saturday April 26th 10-6 and Sunday April 27th 12-5 48 CR 250 Ste. 3 970-759-7399

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

Found near Ismay Women’s Smartwool top. Call to ID 970-749-2130

Classes/Workshops

Meditative Plant and Nature

Immersions 4 seasonal retreats in Dolores, 2025: May 16-18; July 18-20; Sept. 19-21; Dec. 6. Build skills, deepen connection and support your healing journey through: medicine making, meditation, plant walks, nourishing meals, song and more. www.livinginto mindfulness.com/about-3

Are You Ready for Guitar Lessons in Durango? I teach all ages and experience levels. Please contact Seth at 602-908-4475

BodyWork

Massage by Meg Bush LMT, 30, 60 & 90 min., 970-759-0199

HelpWanted

Do You Drive from Mancos to Durango and want to make some gas money every week? The Telegraph is looking for a delivery driver to bring papers to Mancos once a week on Thursday or Friday. About 175 papers total, three stops. $25/week. Email for details: missy@durangotelegraph.com

Now Hiring Downtown Ambassadors

Do you love Durango? The Durango Business Improvement District is looking for friendly, outgoing, and knowledgeable people who love our community to be Downtown Ambassadors. We are looking for candidates who have great interpersonal skills, love talking to people and are familiar with our community. This is a seasonal, part-time position. Candidates should be able to fill 2-3 shifts a week. Shifts are 2 1/2 to 4 hours in length. This is a great job to supplement with other part-time employment. Teachers are encouraged to apply! $17 per hour. To apply visit: www.downtowndu rango.org/jobs

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

Great Starter Raft Package 16’ self-bailing 2013 Aire Tributary. Solid shape with some cosmetic blems but no patches. Brand new floor. 4-bay aluminum NRS frame w/seat and custom deckboards. 3 Sawyer oars, 3 thwarts plus slightly rickety bimini. We’ll even throw in a free Igloo cooler and maybe a few random straps! Good river juju. $2800 OBO. Call or text: 970-749-8271

Wired Freedom 60v Cruiser

Brand new still in box, Titian, 2024 + model with two batteries. Retail $2,199 asking $1,850. Text 9709463888

Services

Chapman Electric Mike 970-403-6670

New construction, remodel, service upgrades, EV chargers, split systems and more. Colorado state licensed electrical contractor.

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.

“Trap”

I mean, aren’t all of Shyamalan's movies a trap for viewers?

Residential Fabrication

Planter boxes, gates and fences and other outdoor property enhancements. North Shore Fab. 970 749 6140. Jon

Barn Sweet Barn

Discover our Lofted Barns Perfect for storage or a cozy retreat. Design yours today at rockymountainsheds.com. 29318 US 160 Durango | 970-335-8060

Boiler Service - Water Heater

Serving Durango over 30 years. Brad, 970-759-2869. Master Plbg Lic #179917

Electric Repair

Roof, gutter cleaning, fence, floors, walls, flood damage, mold, heating service.

– Lainie Maxson