Community events | KDUR Community Radio

Join us as we take a look at La Plata County, 150 years ago, part II. Two years ago we looked at the 150th anniversary of the establishment of the county. This time we’ll be talking about the changes to the county that happened in 1876 and how that related to Colorado statehood on Saturday, June 13th at 1pm at the Animas Museum, 3065 W. 2nd Ave. and on Zoom. There is no charge for this presentation which will be recorded. Register for a Zoom link our the Events page of our website animasmuseum.org.

The Animas Valley Grange will host a presentation on “Colorado River Interstate Compact” at 6:30 pm, June 15, 2025. Steve Wolff, General Manager of the Southwestern Water Conservation District, will give a talk about the demands on the Colorado River by Colorado and downstream states. Nearly 40 million people rely on Colorado River water, but this river is facing dual challenges of receiving less rain and snowfall coupled with ever-increasing needs for agriculture and residential usage. Steve will describe the origin of the Interstate Compact, current negotiations for future management of the Colorado River and its tributaries, and what this means for us. This event will be held at the Animas Valley Grange Hall, 7271 County Road 203. The program is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served at 6:15 pm. For further information, please contact Marie at 970-382-1217.

The Durango Arts Center's 2026 juried member show, opens July 3, 2026 on First Friday from 5-7 pm. Local member artists have envisioned Colorado - the Next 150 years in a variety of media, the exhibit allows artists and audiences to imagine Colorado’s future through art. The Barbara Conrad Gallery is open noon - 6 pm. Tuesdays - Saturdays, including the Fourth of July.  Information is at www.durangoarts.org.

Non-traditional Book Club: Queer Writing Tuesday, June 16, 6-7:30pm Join us at Bread Downtown (135 E 8th St) for a "nontraditional" book club, where the discussion is based on a genre/topic rather than a specific book! There's no required reading for these "non-traditional" book clubs, just a topic/genre to discuss and plenty of delicious snacks to enjoy! This month we’ll discuss all nature-related media. PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED.

Non-traditional Book Club: Queer Writing Tuesday, June 16, 6-7:30pm Join us at Bread Downtown (135 E 8th St) for a "nontraditional" book club, where the discussion is based on a genre/topic rather than a specific book! There's no required reading for these "non-traditional" book clubs, just a topic/genre to discuss and plenty of delicious snacks to enjoy! This month we’ll discuss all nature-related media. PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED

Durango Public Library 1900 E 3rd Avenue Durango, CO 81301 Phone: 970-375-3380 https://www.durangogov.org/library FREE Core Survival Skills Tuesday, June 16, 6-7:30pm Come learn the five basic needs of a survivor with Global Survival Instructor Jessie Krebs! We’ll slim down and streamline the important bits by laying out the core concepts of actual survival techniques that most folks don’t know and think they do. Bring your questions and curiosity!

Mancos BurroFest Birthday Bash 2026 Hosted by the Mancos Creative District, BurroFest celebrates the spirited nature of burros through art and interaction. The 2026 event is a "Burro Birthday Bash" honoring Colorado's 150th anniversary, with a themed obstacle course representing state history. Attendees can enjoy live art demonstrations, costumed burros, and educational exhibits. The festivities begin on June 20th at 10:00 AM, followed by the obstacle course at 10:30 AM and the Beverage Pasture opening at noon. This is a free event hosted on Grand Avenue in Mancos, Colorado. https://burrofest.com/ events@mancoscreativedistrict.com

Summer Solstice Window Viewing & Sunrise Cyanotypes" Hosted by the Center of Southwest Studies Sunday, June 21, 2026 5:45 –7:30 a.m. CSWS Gallery Free + Open to All Light refreshments provided Parking on campus is free during the summer, May to August. Contact: Cristie Scott, cmscott@fortlewis.edu, 970-247-7333 Join us in celebrating the summer solstice on Sunday, June 21. At the dawn of the solstice, a spiral of sunlight from the Center's solstice window makes its way across the gallery walls. Arrive early to ensure you don't miss the impressive display. As the sun reaches the building, you are invited to join us in making a cyanotype print in the Center’s courtyard! All supplies will be provided, but bringing personal knickknacks and small objects is encouraged. The solstice window is situated in the upper northeast corner of the Center's exhibition gallery. Created by Denver artist Scott Parsons through Colorado’s Art in Public Places Program, the window was designed to integrate with the building’s architecture as a tribute to the solstice markers of the Ancestral Puebloans of Southwest Colorado. The spiral cast by the solstice window is visible for several weeks before and after the summer solstice but is sharpest on solstice morning. Moving with the rotation of the earth, the spiral makes its journey across the gallery wall, fading as the sun rises higher in the sky. The spiral is a significant symbol in the solstice markers of the Ancestral Puebloans of Southwest Colorado, reflecting their deep understanding of astronomy and their connection to the natural world. During the solstices and equinoxes, sunlight would interact with the spirals in specific ways, indicating the time of year. The Ancestral Puebloans relied on these markers to determine the best times for planting and harvesting crops, as well as for scheduling important communal and religious activities. Spirals are thought to represent various concepts in Puebloan culture, including the journey of life, cycles of time, and the interconnectedness of all things. The alignment of these markers with celestial events reflects a spiritual connection to the cosmos. For the Ancestral Puebloans, the sun and its cycles were integral to their spiritual beliefs and practices, symbolizing renewal and the balance between earth and sky, among other things.