Durango Living - Locally Sourced

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2 • Durango Living/Locally Sourced • April 2016

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Dolores blacksmith Maegan Crowley sculpted “Spring,” a delicate flower made of steel.

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

DOUGLAS BENNETT VICE PRESIDENT OF FINANCE AND OPERATIONS

BOB GANLEY VICE PRESIDENT OF ADVERTISING

SOUTHWEST COLORADO IS RICH IN resources, and the “Colorado Proud” mindset is firmly embedded in our regional culture. In this issue of Durango Living/Locally Produced, we celebrate and honor the work of local businesses that offer unique products and services – from steel flowers, to silky alpaca yarn, to smooth honey vodka.

ADVERTISING DESIGN/ PREPRESS

JIM DODSON OLIVIA DOMBACH MICHELLE MARTIN LINDA MCDARBY JUSTIN MEEK

DAVID HABRAT

ADVERTISING DIRECTOR

CREATIVE SERVICES PRODUCTION MANAGER

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES

SUZANNE DUKE SENIOR MANAGER OF DESIGN

TODD BARTZ EDITOR/DESIGNER

KARLA SLUIS ASSISTANT EDITOR

RACHEL SEGURA

COLLEEN DONLEY

BART COLLINS BRIAN HOWELL DIXIE REED KAYLEE KEMPINSKI RYAN ROBISON SARA KNIGHT SHAWNA LONG TAMARA DESROSIERS TERESSA NELSON

ON THE COVER: Glenn and Susan Kacsh own and operate Pleasant

Journey Alpacas in Hesperus. They raise the Huacaya breed, which is known for a fluffy appearance. Photo by Jerry McBride The Durango Herald uses reasonable effort to include accurate and up-to-date information for its special magazine publications. However, all information comes from a variety of sources and may change at any time for any reason. To verify specific information, refer to the organization or business noted. To view the online version of this guide, visit: www.durangoherald.com

INSIDE 4

Sprout it out: Details on a fresh crop of CSAs, markets, garden clubs

4

6

Warm and fuzzy: Hesperus alpacas produce prized fleece

8

Maid of mettle: Dolores blacksmith finds strength in work

6

10

Feeling the buzz: Honey House distills unique spirits

12

Robot fun: Lego club leader inspires kids to be creative

14

Digital detective: Investigator enjoys fitting pieces of the puzzle

10 April 2016 • Durango Living/Locally Sourced •

3

LO C A L F O O D

Sprout it out

THE WEATHER IS A BIT BIPOLAR IN SPRING, but that doesn’t dampen the spirits of Durangoarea gardeners and farmers. In the past decade, the local-food movement has been seeded by many community members.

This season, reap the harvest with a bounty of events and activities.

Farmers markets are fun, social and healthy Grab a basket and head down to a local farmers market this year. It’s a feast for the senses.

You’ll see friends, listen to live music, smell baked treats, touch soft wool or glossy ceramics, and of course, taste plenty of vibrant food. Here’s a round-up of local markets: n Durango Farmers Market: Saturdays, May 14Oct. 29, First National Bank parking lot, 259 West 9th Street n Cortez Farmers Market: Saturdays, June 4 - Oct. 29, Corner of Main and Elm n Mancos Farmers Market: Thursdays, June 16-September, in Boyle Park, behind the gas station n Dolores Farmers Market: Wednesdays, June-October, in front of Town Hall and the Galloping Goose n Bayfield Farmers Market: Saturdays starting May 7 at the Bayfield Park on Hwy 160, across from the Riverside RV Park in Bayfield

School garden clubs: Grab a trowel and dig in This Spring, The Garden Project of Southwest Colorado will be leading garden clubs for children at schools in Durango. The clubs are geared for different age groups, and will include gardening, cooking and art through fun, educational and hands-on activities. The cost is $60 for 6 classes. Registration is open now. For questions, contact Taylor Henzler at americorps@ thegardenprojectswcolorado.org. n Dirt Club (Grades K-2)–1:30 - 3 p.m. Mondays at Riverview, Park and Needham Elementary Schools n Garden Team (Grades 3-5) – 3 - 4:30 p.m. at Riverview Elementary on Tuesdays, Park Elementary on Wednesdays, and Needham Elementary on Thursdays n Garden Squad (Grades 6-8) – 3:10 - 4:40 p.m. Wednesdays at Miller Middle School

4 • Durango Living/Locally Sourced • April 2016

CSAs: As fresh as food can be

Farm to Preschool offers an ‘edible education’ Babies, toddlers and young children are drawn to gardens like magnets. This natural affinity makes it an ideal learning environment, and a way to develop a love for healthy food.

The Farm to Preschool movement harnesses this literal “growth potential.” It’s a concerted effort inspired and supported by interconnected programs across the region and the country. Most people are aware of the Farm to School movement at the K-12 level — connecting schools with local growers for healthy, minimally-processed, fresh foods, and the stories behind that local food, augmented by farm field trips, gardens, and what is called “edible education.”

The Healthy Community Food System started its Farm to Preschool project in 2014 by meeting with several of the 30 childcare centers and 20 home-based childcare providers (serving over 1,100 children) in La Plata County.

HCFS welcomes suggestions, leads, and assistance in this project. There are roles for everyone in the community to help in this effort. Contact your local preschool or HCFS to get started.

To learn more, visit healthycommunityfoodsystems.org, or e-mail jadyer@frontier.net.

A CSA, or Community Supported Agriculture, is a way to connect farmers and community members.

Subscribers buy a subscription to a weekly produce-delivery service for either a growing season or for the whole year. Southwest Colorado CSAs can start as early as June or as late as August, and run through October. CSA customers pay the entire fee upfront before the season begins as a way to support growers. CSAs in Durango range between $250 and $600, depending on the number of weeks.

Subscribers save on fuel costs to ship food, and spare the environment from emissions. Another CSA benefit is that the produce is as fresh as you can get, since it often harvested, sorted and delivered on the same day. Many farms also use sustainable growing practices – even if they don’t use the “organic” designation.

Pound for pound, CSAs are often cheaper than buying food from supermarkets, because they eliminate the middleman and link consumers and farmers without any markup on profit.

CSAs also benefit the local economy, because the revenue stays in the area.

Here’s a sample of some local CSA options: n Durango: Tierra Vida Farm, (719) 480-0144; Animas Valley Farms (970) 749-1211; Old Orchard Farm (970) 259-1903; Turtle Lake Refuge, (970) 317-0988 n Bayfield: Homegrown Farm (970) 884-9567; Pine River Produce (970) 260-6590 n Mancos: Laughing Wolf Farm and Kestrel Farm offer a double-farm CSA (970) 560-5486

5

ANIMALS

Warm &

Fuzzy

Hesperus alpaca breeders produce prized fleece from Huacaya breed

BY R AC H E L S E G U R A Assistant Magazine Editor

S

JERRY McBRIDE/Herald photos

ABOVE: Susan Kacsh shows some of the earth-toned yarn spun from her herd at Pleasant Journey Alpacas. TOP PHOTO: Inquisitive Huacaya alpacas show variations in the breed’s color. OPPOSITE PAGE: Kacsh cuddles a cria (baby alpaca) looking for treats.

6 • Durango Living/Locally Sourced • April 2016

usan Kacsh leaned forward, jutting her nose out, as a small 5-month-old alpaca reached out in unison. Its tan-colored face, encased in fluffy white fleece, smelled her handler but withdrew when she realized there were no treats.

“This is Andromeda,” said Kacsh. “We call her ‘the boss.’ She’s the youngest of our 2015 births, but she’s definitely the leader.”

About five other larger alpacas stood with baby Andromeda, staring back at Kacsh. They were all looking for something to nibble on, but they kept a safe distance.

“As you can see they are pretty curious, but still a little timid.”

Susan Kacsh and her husband Glenn own and operate the 32-acre Ranch services Pleasant Journey Alpacas ranch in Pleasant Journey Alpacas Hesperus, 16 miles southwest of offer many opportunities to Durango. They have 87 alpacas, two people interested in raising ranch dogs and a llama. Out of the 87 alpacas. They sell alpacas, alpacas, 52 are their own. The rest are male and female, and offer boarded by owners who don’t have breeding with several of their best studs. There are facilities for their animals.

The Kacshs, originally from options to board with the Colorado, moved from Arizona ranch in the case you do not in 2012 with 16 Huacaya alpacas. have an established place for your purchased animal.

Huacaya are one of two breeds of They also offer tours yearalpaca that are mostly known for a round to anyone visiting fluffy appearance. The Suri alpaca the Four Corners area. has longer, flowing fleece. Susan Please call ahead at (970) and Glenn raise the Huacaya breed, 259-3384 to come out and tour the ranch or shop but also board Suris. in the store. Visit pleasant “Personally, we prefer the journeyalpacas.com to view Huacayas,” Susan said. “I think most products and alpacas for sale. people who own alpacas generally own one kind or another. I just love (huacayas’) cute, fuzzy faces. They also have exceptional fleece.”

Alpacas are a docile breed of camelid. They are mostly raised in South American countries in altitudes ranging from 11,500-to-16,000 feet. Susan said that even though Hesperus is lower in elevation for these animals, the climate is perfect.

“We have an awesome climate for alpacas. Our summer consists of warm days and lots of sunshine, but the nights remain cool. That’s perfect for them, because they can continue to grow fleeces year round.”

Alpacas have been domesticated for thousands of years, solely for the use of their fleece. There are an estimated 16 color varieties in the U.S. for alpaca fiber – not including dyed. The animals are

sheared once a year, generally in early summer before temperatures rise. Alpacas can be sheared when they are babies, or cria. It is not uncommon to get a first shearing from an alpaca when it is only a few days old.

“One of our cria was sheared at three days old,” Susan said. “We are cautious when shearing them as the mother’s could reject their babies, especially if it alters their smell. We sheared six crias last summer and luckily everything went well.”

All alpaca fleece has a use. Cria fleece is the finest of all, but even as alpacas age their fiber stays incredibly soft. The body of the alpaca is known as the blanket. This is the fleece that, once processed for fiber, is as soft as cashmere and makes great garments. The fleece around the legs and the neck are slightly coarser, yet still soft. This fiber is used for items such as rugs or felting because it is more durable.

The Kaschs run a small fiber store from their ranch. Susan has handmade items that she crochets, as well as rugs she created on a peg loom. They also carry alpaca yarn – mill and hand spun – and roving for those who spin, knit, loom or crochet. Also available are a variety of alpaca socks, knitted hats and gloves and small items for kids.

Susan knows her alpacas like a mother knows her children. She can pick up a skein of yarn and tell you the animal from which the fleece was sheared. Of course, it’s also bittersweet, because the Kaschs are in the business of selling their alpacas. There may be yarn hanging in her store, but that doesn’t mean the animal is still on the ranch.

“When people are in the store and are questioning whether or not to get that second skein, I always tell them to do it. I never know if I will have that same color next year, or if I will even have that alpaca.”

The beauty of an alpaca ranch goes beyond the splendid fibers.

When introducing an alpaca, Glenn and Susan know all about its lineage. They have alpacas that were born on the ranch, now producing their own offspring – a satisfying endeavor for the couple.

One of their alpacas, a Huacaya named Manchester, is a 195-pound, dark chocolate-colored male. The Kacshs show alpacas at various different competitions across the country, and Manchester has won many titles. Many of their alpacas are champions.

Manchester is sweet, but timid. Like many alpacas, they have an innate curiosity, but a cautious attitude. They will come to you on their terms. Susan said a misconception about alpacas is that they spit. Although alpacas can do this, it isn’t common for them to spit at humans. Susan said they would rather be fed treats.

“The only time you are likely to get spit on, is if you are caught in the crossfire of some grumpy pregnant alpacas.”

Alpacas are gentle giants and can be very affectionate. The Kacshs often pet their furry friends when out feeding or doing their checkups. Every now and then, they might get a cuddly cria like Andromeda, who nibbles at their pockets in search of her next treat.

Each of these animals is special to the ranch, with their own personalities and presence. Their fleece will eventually sell to a fiber artist and become a one-of-a-kind fiber; but from the Kacshs’ standpoint, each fleece comes from a one-of-a-kind alpaca. n

JERRY McBRIDE/Herald

The 195-pound male alpaca Manchester has won many titles for showing and fleece in competitions across the country.

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April 2016 • Durango Living/Locally Sourced •

7

BUSINESS PROFILE

BY R AC H E L S E G U R A

Maid of

Mettle

Dolores blacksmith finds strength in labor-intensive metal work

Maegan Crowley shapes a metal wall hook in her workshop in Dolores in March.

RACHEL SEGURA/Herald

8 • Durango Living/Locally Sourced • April 2016

Assistant Magazine Editor

T

he clang of metal on metal, the subtle hiss of hot steel in water, the ringing sounds of a hammer meeting an edge – this is the world of Maegan Crowley. When her shop doors open, the aroma of hot metal and musty dirt leaves many visitors in a daze.

“People always say they love the smell in here, but I don’t really notice it anymore.”

For more than 20 years, Crowley has been working with metal in some fashion: first as a jeweler and silversmith, then as a blacksmith and welder. Blacksmithing is her passion. Her shop, Iron Maegan Metalworks, is located in Dolores just off Hwy 145. A large sculpture of a wrecking ball sits off the road, and her large red shop is unmistakable.

Inside is an organized labyrinth of machinery, tools and steel waiting to morph into the next phase of its being. Crowley is known for her manipulation of sheet metal and hollow pieces of steel – her trademark in the field of blacksmithing.

“I think I like a challenge,” Crowley said, about her passion for forging. “That’s also why I like doing custom work. I rarely make the same thing twice. You need tenacity for this type of work, because it’s labor intensive.”

Currently, Crowley is working on custom fire screens for a home in Michigan, and caps for fence posts for a home in Durango. For the Quentin Tarantino movie “The Hateful Eight,” she was asked to forge fence-post stakes – props used in one of the blizzard scenes. Locally, she created several signs for public parks in Dolores, including the green KSJD sign.

“I moved out here from New Jersey with my husband,” she said. “I didn’t know anyone or anything about the area, but I knew I wanted to have my own shop.”

Crowley attended school all over the upper part of the country. It was during her time teaching she met her husband, a once-Dolores resident and also a native from New Jersey. She trekked back west with him and discovered that the open air and wilderness setting paired with a slower pace of life was inspiring. She set up shop.

The backbone of her business consists of metal fixtures for private residences or businesses. However, the foundation of her craft is the creation of metal art.

“If I could make metal sculptures all day, that’s what I would do,” Crowley said. “I have so much custom work to do, and a family, that I don’t have much time to sculpt anymore, but that’s what I truly love about metal work.”

Crowley is inspired by Mother Nature’s various life cycles of plant growth, blossoms and change in seasons. She is interested in showing art that takes the viewer from one phase to the next, while focusing on the beauty of the in-between.

“I love being out here (in Dolores). There is inspiration all around me. Being here is like being in my own world. I can still teach or create things for people, but I don’t have to be involved with what’s outside too much.”

There is something lifelike about her sculptures. Even though the dark color of the metal is something gothic, the pieces move with vibrancy – just like their real-life counterparts. Crowley has the ability to forge the toughest materials into a softer state.

Amangiri Resort in Big Water Utah is the largest amount of steel work Crowley has completed to date. She was commissioned by the resort to construct various items such as fireplace screens and tools, candle holders, toilet paper roll holders, grates, cabinet fixtures and everything in between.

“Inflorescere” is a bud shape that resembles yucca before it blooms.

“They wanted a modern aesthetic to these pieces,” she said. “Their design of the resort was something simple and sleek, which surprisingly does not mean easy. It was one of those jobs where you get it, and then say, ‘How am I going to do this?’”

Crowley spent about one year of planning with the resort. After the changes and talking was through, she realized she had six months to complete it all. She brought in a blacksmith friend from back east, and together they outfitted 32 rooms with cabinet hardware, hooks, shelf brackets, curtain hardware, room numbers, copper candle holders and more. Common areas of the resort were also outfitted for copper light cans, and 15 fireplaces each with a set of hand-forged fire tools, screens and log grates in each hearth.

“I would have to say that this was my biggest accomplishment. It may seem easy, but creating a ton of candle holders becomes tedious. It was the largest custom order I have completed. I am pretty proud of that.”

All of Crowley’s work is custom, though she has toyed with the idea of retail items.

“I have these bowls that I make from time to time, just when I’m slow in the shop. That could potentially be a product I market, but that isn’t where I am right now.”

Custom work keeps Crowley busy, as well as her small family. Though she craves time for sculpting, she is still able to create unique pieces for her clients.

Her dream was to have her own shop, and considering the dream has come true, Crowley gives thanks its due.

“This doesn’t feel like work, even though it is hard work. Every now and then if I get frustrated, I just remind myself how lucky I am to do what I love.” n

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Weather permitting, the bus departs daily at 7:00am from Durango Transit Center to Cortez, final destination Grand Junction, through Lizard Head Pass stopping in Dolores, Rico, Telluride, Ridgeway, Montrose, and Delta. Bus departs Grand Junction at 1:45pm arriving in Durango at 7:44pm.

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Crowley poses with her sculpture of a wrecking ball, which sits outside her shop in Dolores, just off Highway 145.

Photos courtesy of Maegan Crowley

April 2016 • Durango Living/Locally Sourced •

9

SPIRITS

Feeling the

Buzz

Honey House distills vodka, whiskey and soon-to-be rum

BY K A R L A S LU I S Magazine Editor

A Honey House Distillery co-owner Kevin Culhane stands beside the one-of-akind Bee Hive Still on April 6. Visitors are welcome to view the still and watch spirits being made. Honey House adjoins Honeyville, located in the Animas Valley.

KARLA SLUIS/Herald photos

sip of Hex Vodka floats on the tongue, then stings like a bee. That’s the spirit at Honey House Distillery, where delicate honey is blended into hard liquors.

The business is owned by Kevin, Danny and Sheree Culhane and Adam Bergal, a family friend.

The Culhanes also own Honeyville, which adjoins the distillery, north of Durango in the Animas Valley.

Kevin said Honey House evolved from a love of developing recipes from the versatile product of bees.

“Distilling with honey, or adding it to distilled spirts, seemed like a good fit,” he said. “Any given day at our facility, there is some sort of product being developed that uses honey.”

Since Honey House’s opening in 2013, the Culhanes have chosen special events to launch three small-batch, hand-blended craft spirits. The first product, Colorado Honey Whiskey, was launched on St. Patrick’s Day in 2013 at the Irish Embassy Pub. It’s a blend of premium bourbon whiskey and Rocky Mountain Honey from Honeyville. A flavored version of the product, Colorado Cinnamon Honey Whiskey, was launched just before the holidays. A 375 ml bottle of the two whiskeys is $24.95 at the distillery.

Hex Vodka was launched at the

Sweet-tart Hex cocktails are the bee’s knees A popular drink in Durango is Symmetry, a blackberry-lemon concoction balanced

by Honey House Hex Vodka. It was created for El Moro Spirits and Tavern by the general manager, Dave Woodruff.

Lucas Hess, assistant general manager and bartender, said Hex is a great match for the drink. “It’s a very clean vodka, not too sweet, with a slight honey finish.”

El Moro “embraces Durango,” said Hess.

“We try to affiliate with local producers as much as we can.”

Hex Mule

Symmetry

n

n

Fill tall glass with ice. Add vodka and lime juice, then ginger beer; stir to mix. Garnish with a lime wedge.

Shake in shaker until icy-cold. Strain into a double-rocks glass.

Add ice. Drizzle with liqueur. Garnish with a lemon wheel.

¼ cup Honey House Hex Vodka n 1 tbsp lime juice n ½ cup chilled ginger beer n 1 lime wedge

10 • Durango Living/Locally Sourced • April 2016

1½ ounce Honey House Hex Vodka n ¾ ounce lemon juice n ½ ounce simple syrup n Leopold’s Blackberry Liqueur (Denver product)

Men Who Grill event in June 2015. The Culhanes say they are grateful for community support, and they make an effort to give back by participating in fundraising events and silent auctions.

The gleaming copper Bee Hive Still, which arrived in August 2015, is a custom work of art. The Culhanes installed it behind glass in their expanded facility so visitors can get a fun chemistry lesson: The distillate turns from vapor to liquid in a tall glass column.

“Unlike other columns, ours has glass portholes on both sides – hexagon pattern of course – so natural light shines through as the bubbles climb up the column,” said Kevin.

Drinking the product is as delightful as watching the distillation process. Hex is made from honey and corn and twice distilled for quality and purity. Kevin describes it as, “smooth and pure up front, closing with a slight flowery, honey finish.” A 750 ml bottle sells for $25.95 at the distillery, and is also available in some Durango-area liquor stores. Kevin said his family’s favorite drink is the Hex Mule, made with their vodka, ginger beer and lime.

“It is refreshing no matter what time of year you drink it.”

Kevin says he’s excited about many more honey-flavored products to come. The next one will be Red Cliffs Spiced Rum, which they aim to launch at Taste of Durango on May 15. Red Cliffs is being made now from scratch at the distillery, then infused with pure honey and spices.

“The signature cocktail for the rum is yet to be crafted, because we want all the flavor to be the focal point of the drink,” said Kevin.

“So far, it tastes great with anything we mix it with.” n

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April 2016 • Durango Living/Locally Sourced •

11

FUN FOR KIDS

Constructive

Play

A student in Sam Bridgham’s Lego robotics class tests a creation in January snow outside the Rec Center.

Lego robotics builds engineers through educational expression

JERRY McBRIDE/ Herald photos

BY R AC H E L S E G U R A Assistant Magazine Editor

After-school opportunities for kids Lego Robotics offers after-school, full- and half-day sessions for kids 6 to 16 years old. Class activities vary, from free building, engineering, rocketry, programming, stop-motion video, and more.

Friday after-school classes are 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.; Monday after-school

classes (reflecting early release) are 2:30 to 5:30 p.m.

Prices for these classes vary. If you are interested in the full- or half-day summer camps, contact Alpine Educational Associates at (970) 317-0380.

You can also see pricing and register online at durangogov.org/parksandrec.

12 • Durango Living/Locally Sourced • April 2016

There are no universal terms for Lego pieces. Black pegs, long grey pieces, blue pegs, short black pieces, and then some. This is the best it gets. If you happen to be a person of Lego interest, it all makes sense.

Sam Bridgham is a person of Lego interest – robotics to be exact – and they do differ. Logistically, it’s all the same. They are Legos, after all.

“Legos are distributed all over the world, so it doesn’t make sense to give these pieces a specific term,” Bridgham said. “There are only pictures. You build something from the images they provide. Legos were created so that you don’t confine yourself to what’s in the instructions. They give you the idea, and you expand it or make it better.”

Bridgham has a background in special education. He discovered that there were two things in life he loved: teaching and engineering, so he combined them. In 2010, Bridgham introduced Lego robotics courses to the community at Needham Elementary School, after he studied extensively with the online Lego community at Tufts University.

“It took a while to get used to teaching in such a way,” he said. “They’re kids. You can’t stop them from playing, it’s pointless. Plus, it’s not right. The question becomes ‘How do I turn this into engineering?’”

After some trial and error, Bridgham decided that small groups of 8-to-12 year olds were the ideal class. There isn’t much to teach a child when it comes to Legos. Put these colorful, building blocks into their hands and they’ll know what to do. Bridgham saw a bigger picture – a way to expand on their innate Lego abilities.

“I have always been fascinated by elements in natural design. I want to teach kids the same by taking this basic relationship (with Legos) and grow it.”

Bridgham sees Legos as a means of educational expression. Without the child even realizing, they are practicing mathematical skills, problem-solving and scientific exploration. In some instances, children work together on specific problem areas with their robots, enhancing their social skills.

In his class, you won’t hear him tell a kid what to do or how to make their idea come to life. He looks at

them, hands them a box of Legos and says, “Make it happen.”

“I want them to get the idea that they aren’t helpless. They can solve their problems, they can fix the issue. They’re kids, they aren’t stupid.”

Of course, some ideas are more grandiose than others. In which case, Bridgham doesn’t necessarily say ‘no.’ He allows the space for the kids to create, whether they are successful or not. Kegan, 14, is the oldest in Bridgham’s recent workshops but says he’s been handling Legos all his life. In the past, Kegan and another classmate let their imaginations get the better of them.

“We wanted to make a catapult with a really large arm,” he explained. “But there aren’t any large Lego parts, so we had to use smaller pieces to create one big piece.

We worked all class on that, and it wouldn’t launch. It kept breaking, or the base would come apart.”

They then decided to erect the normalsize catapults that Bridgham initially wanted them to construct, and all was not lost. Kegan may have been bothered by the results that day; but you wouldn’t know it, because his new project is a sno-cat robot.

The objective: Get it as high up a snow

bank as it will possibly go.

The sno-cat was a free-build design that took Bridgham 20 hours of construction time. He had no problem handing it off to Kegan so he could work on refining the tracks.

“I don’t mind if they modify (the robot),” Bridgham said. “I know they aren’t going to destroy it. They’re going to make it better. That’s the theme of Lego. There are Lego engineers all over the world who create these ideas, put them out there into the public, and watch what they do with it.

No one is patenting: That’s not the point.”

The point for Bridgham is to watch children explore the world of engineering in a fun and creative way. His entire process for teaching Lego robotics is so children who may not excel in one area could find their niche another way.

“When you are teaching, you’re really just planting a seed,” he said. “When I was a kid, my dad ran a paper factory. I was around moving parts all day, but how long did it take me before I took something from that environment? This is helpful for kids on those early-release school days, because they are still using critical thinking, still learning – and they are having fun.” n

Instructor Sam Bridgham admires a project..

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April 2016 • Durango Living/Locally Sourced •

13

T E C H N O LO G Y

Digital

Detective

BY R AC H E L S E G U R A Assistant Magazine Editor

F

orget what you know about computer storage, because what is true today may not hold true tomorrow.

“This time last year, I would have said the misconception of computers is people thinking that once they press delete, all information is gone,” said Steven Linn, digital forensics investigator. “However, that is no longer true.”

Digital forensics is a rapidly growing, adapting new form of computer analysis that allows a third party to effectively secure and collect digital information from most electronic devices. The information pulled is then used for various purposes, including: evidence in a court of law, evidence for police investigations, recovering an individual’s personal files and passwords, or to aid private investigations.

Linn does most of his work in Albuquerque, but he caters to the Southwest Colorado region as well. There are many high-profile cases that invariably come from larger cities, but Linn is occasionally contacted for simpler tasks.

“I often handle password recovery and help individuals make sure their devices are protected. Lots of times, people just want advice on security measures.”

14 • Durango Living/Locally Sourced • April 2016

Information forensics investigator enjoys finding pieces of puzzle

“The idea of everything being available (digitally) is not true. There are simple ways to prevent access, and they do work; but because so much is paperless, inevitably you will need a specialist to look into recovery.”

– Steve Linn (shown below)

Since beginning his forensics career in 2012, Linn has helped the La Plata County Sheriff’s Office on a few occasions, recovered evidence for lawyers in divorce proceedings and helped companies track estranged employee’s digital footprints. This is a limited list of services provided by most investigators, and the depths of digital forensics is still being explored.

“I like learning about technological capabilities and all the tidbits of computer analysis. I’ve started thinking about other smart technology like Fitbit in terms of how something like this could fit into a legal stance, and whether or not it can be used as evidence.”

A Fitbit is an electronic bracelet worn during exercise that can register heart rate, track steps and monitor sleeping habits. It can also be used for logging food intake. The device is for people who are looking to maintain accountability for their health goals. Like most smart technology, it can be synced with a phone or computer.

“This industry is incredibly huge, and is in a rapid state of growth,” he said. “This particular device could be used if insurance companies want to file claims. There is this Internet of things in which iPhones, iWatches, computers, Androids all share information into what someone is doing. I like to look into all the possibilities for information recovery.”

The question is: What works, and what doesn’t work?

Linn said many devices are encrypted; so when a text message is deleted, it’s impossible to find. This is largely due to the IOS system operations in place by Apple products such as iPhones, iPads and Mac computers. Social networks such as Facebook are also encrypted, so their messaging is also impossible to locate.

Other types of devices are not so lucky. However, every time there is a breach in computer security, awareness is heightened. Businesses and individuals are constantly wondering if their information is protected.

“The idea of everything being available (digitally) is not true,” he said. “There are simple ways to prevent access, and they do work; but because so much is paperless, inevitably you will need a specialist to look into recovery.”

Linn finds satisfaction in that one piece of the missing puzzle.

He has assisted in high-profile cases where his information has kept someone out of jail, or likewise, put them in jail.

“When I find those silver bullets, it’s a great feeling – a sense of purpose. It can mean many different things to many people – attorneys, individuals, or businesses – and if what I do to assist them makes an impact, it’s a good feeling.” n

Services provided

Today, most all information is stored on computers, mobile phones and servers, thus offering a treasure trove of incredible evidence. The path of computer forensics is steadily rising and has become its own area of expertise.

There is now coursework and certifications offered by several institutions and their online affiliates.

Steven Linn offers basic digital forensics courses at various locations throughout Colorado, including Durango, Cortez and Fort Collins. These courses can help legal professionals garner extra CLE (Continuing Legal Education) credits, as well as aiding attorneys in gathering data they need to help their clients. He also offers a course on digital security for attorneys, allowing them to have more secure communications with clients and ensuring confidentiality.

Linn assists with computer investigations for the following: retrieving Internet history; password recovery; photos, videos and documents; mobile phone investigations for textmessage retrieval; call records and GPS locations; data preservation to secure valuable data so that it is courtroom-ready and promotes a chain of custody; Internet sites and mobile devices.

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