How do we get to where we are — and how important is every little story? Native historian Johnny Valdez reminds us that we are each the product of a hundred generations, and that any one of those stories going differently means we wouldn't be here at all. That perspective, he says, is exactly what makes listening to someone else's story so powerful — because in their story, you find your own.

Writing for the U.S. 250/Colorado 150 Power of Place Magazine, Valdez draws on his heritage as a member of the Ute Tribe to explore a largely untold chapter of Colorado's history: the Brunot Agreement of 1873, the treaty that transferred Ute ancestral lands to the United States government. It's a story most Colorado schoolchildren have never heard — they know the beautiful mountains, the great hikes, the fishing and skiing — but not the history beneath their feet.

This is the land of the Great Spirit. That's what the Ute Tribe has always called it. And Valdez believes that knowing its true history transforms visitors and residents alike into protectors of this place.

The Power of Place Magazine is a special initiative of the Colorado 150 Southwest organizing committee, featuring 20 articles by professional historians and local writers exploring Southwest Colorado's rich and complex heritage.

This story is sponsored by Alpine Bank, Sky Ute Casino and Strater Hotel.

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Part 2 coming soon!

The city's annual Spring Cleanup is now underway, running through April 30th, with city crews moving through residential neighborhoods picking up furniture, appliances, yard waste, and more. Coming up April 2nd through 4th, the Duranglers Fly Fishing Festival returns with three days of films, clinics, demos, and deals, kicking off Thursday night at Animas City Theatre with the Fly Fishing Film Tour. And sign-ups are now open for Maria's Literary Foundation's Second Annual Read-a-Thon, running April 10th through 20th, benefiting youth literacy in Durango.

By Sadie Smith

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This story is sponsored by Sky Ute Casino and Serious Texas Bar-B-Q.

Colorado's new Wildfire Resiliency Building Code requires fire-resistant materials and vegetation management for new construction and major home renovations in wildfire-prone areas. The town of Pagosa Springs plans to adopt the code April 1, with full implementation by July 1. Organizations like Wildfire Adapted Partnership offer free property assessments to help homeowners reduce their risk, even if the code does not apply to them yet.

By Christi Bode

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This story is sponsored by FASTSIGNS Durango and Blondies Trophy Room.

There's a full week of community events happening in the Four Corners. On Wednesday evening, San Juan College hosts author David Ryan for a free presentation about his book on New Mexico's hidden gems — 6 to 8 PM at the Connie Gotsch Theatre. Sister Act the Musical is still running at the Farmington Civic Center through March 29th, with shows Thursday through Sunday. On Thursday, gardeners can catch the latest session of the Building a Better Backyard Garden workshop series in Aztec — free to attend with tools and giveaways. Off-road motorcycle fans can head to Glade Run Recreation Area this weekend for the Chokecherry Scramble II, part of the 2026 Desert Championship Race Series. And on Friday, the whole community is invited to celebrate the launch of Farmington's 2nd Harvest Enhancement Project with a free Chalk Artwalk and ribbon cutting at 1961 Positive Way from 4 to 6 PM.

By Paige Sparks

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This story is sponsored by Ace Hardware of Farmington and Big Idea Maker Space at San Juan College.

This week in Durango, the Durango-La Plata County Airport is collecting non-perishables, hygiene products, and infant supplies for TSA workers who have been without pay during the federal government shutdown — drop off donations at the airline ticketing lobby inside the main entry doors. On Wednesday, March 25th, Durango Comedy brings March Sadness to the Durango Arts Center — doors open at 6:30 with the show starting at 7:00, tickets are $25. And the Spring in the Rockies Arts and Crafts Festival closes out the month at the La Plata County Fairgrounds — Saturday March 28th from 9:00 to 3:00 and Sunday March 29th from 10:00 to 2:00, featuring 70 local artists and crafters along with food and door prizes.

By Sadie Smith

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This story is sponsored by The FLC Center for Innovation  and Dunkin Donuts.

Durango artist Matt Clark of Little Bud Designs and mural artist Parker Ledford created Ebb and Flow — a public mural along the Animas River trail pulling from Clark's collage and illustration work. Clark says he wanted the piece to have something for everyone in the Durango community.

By Sadie Smith

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This story is sponsored by the Payroll Department and Durango Gelato Coffee & Tea.

On Friday, March 20th, local artist Shanda Akin invites the community to a free evening of art and conversation at Four Leaves Winery starting at 6 p.m. — drinks, light bites, and an artist talk are all included. Also opening March 20th, the Durango Arts Center presents Trey Parker's Cannibal: The Musical, a darkly comedic retelling of the true story of Alferd Packer, running through March 29th. And looking ahead to March 27th, the Southwestern Water Conservation District hosts its 42nd Annual Water Seminar at Sky Ute Casino Resort in Ignacio, bringing together community leaders for a full day of panels on the future of water in the Southwest.

By Sadie Smith

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This story is sponsored by Dunkin' Donuts and RMW  Tafoya Barrett & Associates 

The City of Farmington's Bonnie Dallas Senior Center has launched the High Desert Games, its annual Senior Olympics program, with opening ceremonies marking the start of a multi-month competition schedule running through May. The event series, organized through the city's Parks and Recreation Department, features activities including shuffleboard, cornhole, table tennis, pool, pickleball and more. Adult Programs Manager Martin Moulton said the primary goal is for participants to have fun while staying active and socializing. "It gives seniors an opportunity to socialize, get together with their friends, and participate in team sports or individual sports," Moulton said. Closing ceremonies are scheduled for May.

By Tanner Waite

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This story is sponsored by Sunray Park & Casino and Four Corners Regional Airport

Durango wasn't always the tree-lined community it is today — in the late 19th century, the landscape was largely barren — but now, climate change and rapid development are threatening the 12,000-plus trees that define it. The DurangoScape 2026 Climate Conference, hosted by the Durango Botanic Gardens brought together local and regional experts to help residents understand how to protect their community forest through smarter planting, root system awareness, and early action.

By Paige Sparks

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This story is sponsored by Payroll Department and Durango Gelato, Coffee & Tea

What happens when one woman's curiosity about disappearing birds grows into a global movement? For Kelly Miller, founder of Follow the Birds, a simple question about winter silence along the Animas River trails became a three-day gathering connecting scientists, artists and storytellers from across the world. The Bird Migration Gathering — held each March and October — drew participants from 16 countries at its inaugural October event, exploring migration through ornithology, conservation, art, storytelling and technology. Past contributors include celebrated naturalist Scott Weidensaul, wildlife advocate Craig Foster of Cape Town, South Africa, and bird language expert Jon Young. The next gathering takes place online March 13-15, 2026.

By Paige Sparks

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This story is sponsored by Kroegers Ace Hardware and Dunkin’ Donuts