Lisa Dierson is the Founder and Director of the EQUUS Film & Arts Film Festival. She’s preparing to bring the equestrian-themed festival to the Four Corners region for the first time in the event's 12-year existence. The gathering will include a Mustang summit, focused on furthering the conversation on managing the local Jicarilla Mustang herd.  

Sponsored by Sky Ute Casino Resort and CommonSpirit.

 Darrin Parmenter is Colorado State University Extension’s Western Regional Director and Co-Host of The Garden Guys radio show on KSUT. He previously served as the La Plata County Extension horticulturist and county director for nearly two decades. His responsibilities include coordinating the efforts of dozens of Extension experts spanning diverse disciplines and spread across 16 counties. 

Sponsored by Sky Ute Casino Resort and FASTSIGNS Durango

Dustin English is the co-founder of Voormi, an outdoor apparel company based in Pagosa Springs, Colorado. Since 2011 the company has evolved into more than just a garment company, featuring locally made textiles, technology and development. English developed the company with the goal of providing more performance in fewer pieces of gear, so outdoor guides like himself could be more intentional with limited packing space.

Sponsored by Sky Ute Casino Resort and CommonSpirit Health

Fort Lewis College Philosophy Professor Justin McBrayer has won a Fulbright Scholarship for the second time in his career. As part of the program, McBrayer will spend a term in Italy both conducting research and teaching at the University of Genoa in Italy. The author of “Beyond Fake News, Finding the Truth in a World of Misinformation," McBrayer said the award will allow him to continue exploring the issue of misinformation and fake news. The Fulbright Program is the world’s largest and most diverse international educational exchange program.

Sponsored by Sky Ute Casino Resort and FASTSIGNS Durango

Mark Daley is a Durango snowboarding legend. Known for his effervescent personality and his work building log rides at Purgatory Mountain Resort, Daley has earned nicknames like “The Dale,” and “The Logfather.” Daley is also a multiple-time USASA National Champion. He served as the Master of Ceremonies during the Natural Selection Tour Duels stop in Durango last winter.

Sponsored by Sky Ute Casino Resort and FASTSIGNS Durango

Fenceline Cider aims to revive the once thriving orchard culture in Montezuma County. Fenceline upcycles apples from local growers, no matter their size, in order to make extraordinary cider rooted in local flavors. Fenceline hosts the Montezuma Rising Music Festival on Saturday, May 26th. By Connor Shreve.

Sponsored by Sky Ute Casino Resort and FASTSIGNS Durango

If you’ve been to a bike race in America, you’ve likely heard the booming voice of Dave Towle calling the action. Having worked events from the Tour of Georgia to Levi’s GranFondo, Towle has become the voice of American cycling. In this edition of Beyond the Headlines, Towle discusses his career, his love for radio, and the Durango cycling scene.  By Connor Shreve.

Sponsored by Sky Ute Casino Resort and FASTSIGNS Durango

Emily Hutto is an author, podcaster and craft beer industry storyteller. Her most recent project, the Radcraft Industry Relief podcast documents the pandemic-era Zoom calls she orchestrated with many beer-industry leaders, including two Southwest Colorado brewing institutions Ska Brewing and Dolores River Brewery. By Connor Shreve.

Sponsored by Sky Ute Casino Resort and FASTSIGNS Durango

After years of working as a CPA, Michelle Kooi made a career change with the intention of helping others. Kooi uses her experience to help women business owners prioritize getting more done. She now runs Confluence Consulting & Coaching. By Rick O’Block and Connor Shreve.

Sponsored by Sky Ute Casino Resort and FASTSIGNS Durango.

Colorado has a special relationship with historic hotels. From Telluride’s New Sheridan to Durango’s Strater Hotel to the Stanley Hotel in Estes Park - among other examples. They can serve as the focal point of a town's business district, peeling back a town's history and allowing guests and residents to transport themselves back in time.
An ambitious historic hotel renovation is underway in Fremont County, where one of Colorado’s ten oldest hotels is getting more than a simple makeover.
By Connor Shreve. This story is sponsored by Sky Ute Casino Resort and FASTSIGNS Durango