The Durango Telegraph, Oct. 20, 2022

elegraph

Growing pains Durango is booming, but is there enough water?

Battle of the ungulates Goats and sheep spar over newly exposed salt licks

Cracking up Local climber decides to raise money the hard way

THE ORIGINAL

LINE ON DURANGO & BEYOND

Growing thirst

Can Durango’s water supply support its booming population? by Jonathan Romeo

Scary stories

Drawing parallels between the horror genre and American colonialism by Kirbie

Ear to the ground:

“You just had to have two White Claws before noon.”

The bicycle thieves

Hold on to your bikes – the Durango Police Department recently reported it’s seeing “significant uptick in bicycle thefts” around town, with more than $40,000 in rides stolen since August.

The majority of thefts, however, seem to have been easily preventable. “These bicycles were stolen from truck beds, back yards, bike racks, and garages left open overnight,” DPD posted to social media.

Bikes are hot ticket items these days, seeing how top-end mountain bikes can fetch $8,000 or more (about the cost of a car for a normal person). The wave seems to be part of a national trend. According to the DPD, about 2 million bikes worth $350 million are stolen each year across the country – about one bike every 30 seconds. For reference, in America, 550 hot dogs are consumed every second (not fake news).

Crack head

Local climber sets out to conquer 2 miles to raise funds for The Hive by Alex Vick

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Turf wars

As glaciers recede, high country ungulates battle it out over salt deposits by Sam Brasch / Colorado Public Radio

On the cover

Some dogs sit in your lap. Others go on extreme high alpine hunting missions right as fall gives way to winter./ Photo by Alex Krebs

DPD said most thieves typically sell bikes for fast cash, unaware how much the bike is actually worth. Criminals with a little more knowhow will usually attempt to sell the bike online, even stripping the bike down and selling parts separately.

“Durango is well known for being a cycling community, and our love for cycling means there are lots of costly bicycles around town,” Sergeant Detective Chris Thomson said.

Here are some tips from DPD to prevent your bike being stolen. And although some suggestions may seem obvious, be honest – how many of these do you actually do?

Ave.,

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We’re only human. If, by chance, we defame someone’s good name or that of their family, neighbor, best

friend or dog, we will accept full responsibility in a public flogging in the following week’s issue.

Although “free but not easy,” we can be plied with schwag, booze and flattery.

1. Always use a high-quality lock such as a U-lock. Never use a cable lock – these can easily be cut through with cable cutters or a saw.

2. Lock your wheel and frame together.

3. Use a bike rack (sign poles are not as secure).

4. Do not park your bike on the sidewalk or street overnight.

5. Lock your bike in a well-lit and well-traveled area.

6. Take lights and other easily removed items with you.

7. Write down your serial number and keep digital photos of your bicycle.

8. Register your bicycle at the Durango Police Department. Call 970-385-2900 or come to the main police department lobby to register your bicycle(s).

9. Purchase bike insurance.

– When pre-gaming for a pumpkin patch backfires

Last house on the left

The 2014 horror film “It Follows” begins with a shot of a quiet suburban neighborhood. The ghostly camera moves slowly, offering a view of the community, when a young woman abruptly runs out of a home. She’s distressed, and no one can see what she’s running from. The camera remains steady. And even though the woman is outside, the viewer can feel her claustrophobia. When she looks into the camera, the viewer senses there’s no escape from the entity following her. In her panicked confusion, she runs back into her house. The house number is 1492.

The number immediately stood out to me. In the film, young people are haunted by death after having sex. The only way to survive is by having sex with more partners in the hopes of passing on that spirit to them. Perhaps the most chilling thing about “It Follows” is the way things are presented. It takes the manicured imagery of suburban America and reveals the terror beneath: the haunting of death that began at colonization. In the movie, that haunting has contaminated ordinary desires of attraction, and young people end up paying the cost.

Someone once said art should comfort the disturbed and disturb the comforted. And that’s what continually fascinates me about the horror genre. At its strongest, horror should cause one to step back and realize the phone call is coming from inside our house – the house numbered 1492.

In many ways, “It Follows” draws inspiration from the 1978 film, “Halloween.” The movie’s premise of a masked killer on a babysitter rampage helped establish the slasher genre. Similar to “It Follows,” the film’s subtext can act as commentary on settler society. In interviews and on social media, Indigenous journalist Nick Estes noted that, “Michael Myers stalks the ‘anywhere America’ white suburbs” where “all the houses are the same, but neighbors are strangers who never answer the door.” He went on to say, “Myers is the repressed violence of centuries of genocide, seemingly supernatural, unstoppable and inevitable.”

“Halloween” also had another cultural impact. With her portrayal of protagonist Laurie Strode, Jamie Lee Curtis solidified the concept of “the final girl.” As implied, the final girl is the one who survives and confronts her tormentor. From the analysis of feminist film scholar Carol J. Clover, in horror, a transition takes place where the narrative switches perspectives. The final girl first appears through the male gaze of the killer, but throughout the story, the film starts to empathize with her. In Clover’s book, “Men, Women and Chainsaws,” she further explains, “These films are designed to align spectators not with the male tormentor, but with the female victim – the ‘final girl’ – who finally defeats her oppressor.”

In her critique, Clover highlights something interesting among viewers: a “cross-

Thumbin’It

News that ballots for the 2022 November election will start arriving in mailboxes this week, good news if only because it means the impending end of nonstop political ads.

Remember those vintage Levi’s we told you about a few weeks ago that were going to auction at Tico Time? Yeah, they sold for $76,000. Remind us again why we went to college?

Yellowstone National Park slowly reopening after devastating floods in June. I’m sure all the animals missed the blundering tourists who need photos for their Instagram and stand between sparring bison.

gender identification,” where male viewers would root for the final girl in the end, because they have witnessed her terrifying journey. I often wonder how much of that translates into the real world, where navigating through a hetero-patriarchal society is already a horror for women and queer folks. That “cross-gender identification” simply comes down to compassion and solidarity. And in general, men just need to listen without feeling the need to mansplain. Because the majority of horror movies can be summed up as such: when men ignore or invalidate the intuitions and concerns of women, it summons death for everyone. The sacred is violated by silencing the prophetic voices of women.

As much as the horror genre fascinates me, there are also many moments when its crudeness are beyond redemption. Despite that, the messaging is worth exploring. The Stephen King-inspired “Creepshow” series is something I have a soft spot for. As a child, whenever these films aired on TV, I dropped whatever I was doing to indulge. In “Creepshow 2,” one story that stuck with me was “Old Chief Wood’nhead.” It’s a story about a crude wooden Indian statue that comes to life seeking vengeance on criminals.

Out of curiosity, I recently revisited it. I was hoping there would be a subversive, progressive message that would validate all the time I spent watching it as a kid. But I was wrong. It’s a purely racist story, full of white actors in brown face posing as Indigenous people. And yet, as stomachturning as it was, I couldn’t turn it off. That racist story reminded me of the way the Toh-Atin Art Gallery glorifies their Chief statue.

The horror story starts off with the struggles of a white couple running a general store in a bordertown. The husband, played by George Kennedy, adores his wooden Indian statue, obsessively cleaning it and talking to it. He has more love for the statue than he does for his wife. After a Native elder stops by to offer jewelry as collateral for his tribe’s debts, a young Native man –played by Holt McCallany in horrendous brown face – breaks in to rob the store. In all the chaos, the married couple is murdered and the young Native man and his gang leave with the jewelry. All this violence summons to life the wooden statue. When nighttime arrives, he tracks down the men and slaughters them.

As a child, the statue coming to life terrified me. I watched with dread as the criminals met their gory end. Watching now, it’s incredibly strange to see the final showdown between the white-man-in-brownface and the wooden Indian statue. There is no one to root for, and I’m only eager for this nightmare to end. And the story’s takeaway seems to be that racist mascots epitomize true Indigeneity. In the white settler gaze, the story says, these racist constructs are the last real Indians worth saving.

– Kirbie Bennett

SignoftheDownfall:

First it was not enough rain, now it’s too much – the BLM announced it is canceling a prescribed burn on Animas City Mountain as the weather continues to be fickle.

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment approving new regulations that now allow people to drink treated wastewater. Sounds … refreshing?

Reports that the Mississippi River is hitting historic low levels amid a drought. Wait a second, I thought we were building a pipeline from the Mississippi to solve all the West’s water woes? Now what?

The Little Madmen

In 1940, Walt Disney hired 11 little people, dressed them up like puppets, and then left them with wine and snacks on the roof above the marquee during the debut of Pinocchio. The little people got drunk and then stripped buck-naked out of their puppet costumes because it was hot, and then they started throwing food and yelling at the crowd below. When the cops arrived, the little people refused to come down, so they were carried to jail in pillow sacks. Moral of the story: if you stopped liking Disney because of a black mermaid, you are this week’s sign of the downfall.

It’s spooky season, so the Telegraph asked: “What’s the last thing you’d want to run into in a dark forest?”

Emma

CJ “Godzilla. That’d be super scary.”

James “A wild and rabid clown. Man, I hate clowns.”

Chayse

“Donald Trump – you know, he might grab me.”

Trevor

“Jason. I watched that movie way too young.”

“A pack of wild 8-year-olds.”

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Blast from the past

I stayed a night or two at the Durango Hostel the very first time I came through town in October 1992. Whoa! Exactly 30 years ago. I moved here a few months later in February 1993.

I don’t remember much, but I do remember it was about average in comfort and cleanliness, compared with other hostels I stayed in on the course of my sixmonth road trip around the U.S. Definitely a dive, but not gross. It was really nice to be right downtown.

I was sad when they tore it down.  Durango, being a destination for all sorts of folks looking for adventure (not just folks with lots of money for accommodations) really needs a hostel for a relatively comfortable stay at an affordable price. Hostels are also a great place where you can meet other low-budget travelers from around the world. Sigh...

– Pamela Marshall, Durango

Duck & cover

President Joe Biden warned recently of a possible Armageddon – not seen since The Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962 – because of Russia’s saber-rattling with using nuclear bombs in its war with Ukraine. A member of Ukraine’s Parliament, Kira Rudik, said she is very worried about numerous crazy threats from Russian President Vladimir Putin and his impact on the

overall safety of our world. Yet, Biden’s head press secretary said that our country is not making any preparations for a nuclear war. Really?

I clearly remember 1962. If we were attacked with a Russian nuclear threat, every K-12 classroom in our country was told to hide under a desk – that was the ridiculous instruction to keep us safe. Sixty years later, a much, much better plan is needed. How about a meeting of the minds with world leaders?

– Sally Florence, Durango

Easy choice

On Jan. 6, 2021, our representative in Congress, Lauren Boebert, was among the 139 Republican members of the House of Representatives – about two-thirds of all House Republicans – who voted to dispute the Electoral College count that established Joe Biden as having won the 2020 presidential election. They hadn’t the slightest basis for doing so, other than to promote and perpetuate Trump’s “Big Lie” that the election was stolen. This was the day of the assault on the Capitol and Trump’s attempt to pull off a coup and transform American democracy into an autocratic form of government headed by himself.

That one man would betray our country in this fashion is lamentable. That the Republican Party and the large majority of Republican politicians committed them-

selves to aiding him is a monumental tragedy.

Boebert was and continues to be one of those election deniers. She is a prominent figure among the forces seeking to convert our political system into one-party authoritarian rule. There are many reasons why Adam Frisch would better serve our district’s interests than Boebert. One reason

alone is conclusive: Boebert favors and will work to bring about extreme rightwing authoritarian control of our government. On the other hand, Frisch will work to preserve and strengthen American democracy, free and fair elections, and our sacred principles of justice and fairness.

Frisch believes no person is above the law.

– Edward Packard, Durango

Go the distance

Thanks for putting my response to the Telegraph’s article on staffing shortages in last week’s issue.

Reading it again in print, I realized that it may not have fully encompassed my view on this subject – or life itself, for that matter.

Reading last week’s columns “Let’s Dig In” and “Between the Beats” made me reflect on this even more.

Now, I realize these two “Rocky”-like stories may be outliers, but I believe even Malcolm Gladwell (who also wrote a book called “Outliers”) would say that hard work and individual circumstances play a significant role in creating success.

I certainly did not mean to diminish baristas or those who have chosen to leave, as I firmly believe that if something is important enough to you, and you are willing to do the work to make that change, you will be able to do it.

Gladwell also writes about the “10,000Hour Rule,” which says it takes 10,000 hours of intensive practice to master a skill. Even though I think this time period varies per individual, it also illustrates that there is no easy fix in life, and if you are going to put that much time into something, you better be sure that it is truly what you want.

I think the most important things in life – friends, relationships, health – can be had anywhere, and hope that will be the case for Mr. Gregorio (who wrote a letter about leaving Durango for Aztec) as well.

And for the barista that wants a white-

collar job to afford to live in Durango, certainly with the right education and dedication, this could be done.

So, in another “Rocky” parable, perhaps you don’t necessarily have to win; maybe you just have to go the distance.

– Eric Orton, Durango

internal threats to our democracy; abortion; and inflation.

the Biden administration should rein in large scale spending.

Vote different

When is it time to vote for an independent candidate? The answer varies based on the race. In the La Plata County commissioner race, the answer is now. Scholars, policy makers and activists say that Independents bring new ideas, strengthen democracy by restoring integrity and innovate.

Regardless, if you are one of the 49% of La Plata County Independents or not, this is the year to vote for Jack Turner. This energetic, fifth-generation La Plata County resident excels at listening; truly listening. He generates real, respectful and positive solutions reflecting the culture of La Plata County – all of La Plata County. Real change begins at home. Do something different and brave this year. Vote for Independent candidate Turner.

Humankind. Be both.

Polls show almost 60% of the U.S. population is concerned with threats to our democracy posed by far-right, un-American extremists who continue to believe the false narrative put out by Trump that the 2020 election was stolen from him by election officials in states across the country. These allegations were proven false in more than 60 court cases presided over by many Trumpappointed judges, but this didn’t stop Trump’s stormtrooper followers from conducting an insurrection on Jan. 6, 2021.

The partisan U.S. Supreme Court overturned the Roe v. Wade abortion case allowing states to implement anti-abortion laws. About 70% of Americans believe women should be allowed to choose to have abortions, and probably a higher percentage believe abortions should be permitted for incest, rape and medical conditions. This issue might be almost as important to Americans as the threats to our democracy.

– Donald Moskowitz, Londonderry, N.H.

Power to the people

Let’s talk about the real issue with inflation: corporate profits. Profits are at a 70year high, yet corporations are inflating their prices dramatically – not because of rising costs, but because they can. Corporations face little competition. Four major meat packers supply 55-85% of all beef, pork and poultry – yet no competition.

Kroegers, which owns City Market, is about to buy Albertsons for $25 billion, which will leave La Plata County residents with the mainstream choice of Kroegers, Kroegers, Kroegers or Walmart. No competition.

– Carol Goldsmith, Durango

Top of the mind

The upcoming mid-term election, and possibly the general election in 2024, could revolve around three major issues:

Lastly, the high inflation created by the opening up of our economy after the pandemic, the dismal response by the Federal Reserve to act to control inflation and the huge amount of spending by the Biden administration has had a significant impact on consumers.

However, the economy had to come back once pandemic restrictions were removed. Unfortunately, the Federal Reserve fell asleep and did not raise interest rates and stop bond purchases until inflation was rampant. The Federal Reserve must continue its restrictive monetary policy, and

Republicans refused to rein in gas prices when they were so terrible this spring, even though oil companies thrived. The Democratic-controlled House passed a bill to combat gas price gouging; the Republicans in the Senate defeated it. The result? Exxon doubled its earnings. Chevron tripled them – $60 billion dollars in earnings for the same quarter we were all struggling to buy gas. Democrats are cutting taxes for working people and raising them on billionaires, because “trickle down” economics doesn’t work. Real people need a raise. Republicans are actively voting against us all. Want some hope of reining in costs? Of a livable minimum wage? Vote for the Democrats on this ballot.

– Anne Markward, Durango

Growing pains

Durango is blowing up, but does it have the water to sustain itself?

by Jonathan Romeo

An unprecedented amount of people are moving to Durango and La Plata County, but with the increasing effects of drought across the region, is there enough water to support them all?

For years, population growth and new development were already on the rise in Southwest Colorado, but the effects of the pandemic accelerated that buildup as more people left urban areas and sought out desirable mountain towns.

In just the past few weeks, a number of large-scale development projects have been proposed: 800 units south of town on the Isgar property near La Posta Road; another 500 apartments in Three Springs; and nearly 80 apartments and townhomes near the old Mercury Building. And that’s not to mention the onslaught of scattered development around town and in the county.

All this raises a fair question: does the region, which has experienced a 23-year drought believed to be the worst since 800 AD, have enough water to sustain it all?

“The Pagosa Springs-Bayfield-Durango corridor is rapidly growing while experiencing areas of localized water shortages,” according to a report from the Colorado Water Conservation Board.

Like any question that involves the weather, the answer is subject to a lot of uncertainty and unpredictability. But the subject is on the mind of state and local planning departments and water officials.

“Climate change is the big unknown,” Steve Wolff, general manager of the Southwest Water Conservation District, said. “We’ve already seen our overall available water supplies decline.”

One thing that’s for sure, the Durango migration can’t be turned off like a faucet.

“You can’t stop people from moving here; that’s not an option,” Kevin Reidy, Colorado Water Conservation Board’s water conservation specialist, said. “So we have to figure out the most water-efficient way to build new communities and start thinking about what rabbits we can pull out of a hat to make this work better.”

A downward trend

The City of Durango receives the majority of its water supply from the Florida River, a relatively pristine yet small river that spills out of the Weminuche Wilderness and into Lemon Reservoir. Eventually, the water is released downstream and ends up in a small city-owned reservoir called Terminal Reservoir.

When demand exceeds supply in the Florida River, the City of Durango pumps water out of the Animas River. The Animas typically has more water but is vulnerable to outside factors that impact water quality, like contamination from inactive mines around Silverton.

Historically, these two reliable water

sources have served Durango well, a rarity in the West. But that all could be upended with the effects of climate change and longterm drought, also known as “aridification.” Though Southwest Colorado still sees up and down years with precipitation, the long-term trend – without question – is less available water year over year.

“There is a significant downward trend in precipitation,” Allison Baker, the city’s public works director, said in August. “(Looking around the West, we know) streams can run dry. We don’t want to become complacent.”

Indeed, the City of Durango has all the water rights it needs – in theory – in both the Animas and Florida. But contracts do no good when there’s no water in the river. A telling stat: Prior to 2010, the Animas flowed under 100 cubic feet per second just two times (in the 1910s), based on 100 years of records. In the past five years, however, the Animas has experienced more than 30 days with flows below 100 cfs.

Preparing for 80k

The water supply in Durango/La Plata County is diminishing at a time of rapid influx of people to the region, though exact numbers are difficult to pin down. The U.S. Census Bureau has the county’s population

at 56,250 as of July 2021, up just 612 people from a count in April 2020. However, this is probably an underestimation given the issues with the 2020 census (another story, another time). What’s more, state projections show the county could be home to nearly 80,000 residents by 2050.

Another indicator can be found in City water consumption records, which show 1.324 billion gallons were used in 2019, compared to 1.364 billion gallons in 2021. And with no way to stop the mad dash to Southwest Colorado, planning managers must do what they do best – plan. The City of Durango and La Plata County staff were unavailable for interviews this week and last week after multiple requests seeking comment.

In an emailed statement, however, public works’ Baker said the city has enough water to accommodate the growth with the Animas and Florida, with a card up its sleeve being Lake Nighthorse. “We are confident that Durango has a very secure water plan for proposed growth,” she wrote.

Wolff agreed. In an interview with The Durango Telegraph , Wolff said it’s understood the region is drying out, but with the available water in the Animas and Florida as well as storage space in Lake Nighthorse, it looks “fairly positive” going

into the future.

“But, of course, if the climate gets worse, you could see more impacts,” he said.

An untapped source

The City of Durango’s current problem is actually accessing its water rights stored in Lake Nighthorse, which is downstream of Terminal Reservoir and would require an estimated $20 million pipeline to pump water down from the lake and up to the city’s reservoir. City councilors recently approved $500,000 to study plans for the pipeline.

As it stands, Terminal Reservoir has only 267-acre-feet of water storage, enough for about 10 days at peak season and 30 days during the slow season. Having access to Lake Nighthorse would add about 350 days of storage based on winter water-use numbers and about 30-45 days during the summer, according to the city. On top of that, Lake Nighthorse water would allow for redundancy should any outside factors – like wildfires, mine blowouts or drought – further impact the system.

“We can mitigate our risk through that storage, but if we can’t access it, then it’s really not providing us the protection we’d like over time,” Baker said.

Lake Nighthorse, part of the whittleddown Animas-La Plata Project, was built pri-

The Animas River is the City of Durango’s back up water plan when flows from its main source, the Florida River, aren’t sufficient. However, as we all know, the Animas is not 100% reliable, subject to low flows and mine blow outs./

Photo by Missy Votel

marily to fulfill water rights treaties with three tribes: the Navajo Nation, Southern Ute and Ute Mountain Ute. The City of Durango, though, bought about 3,800 acrefeet of water rights. Multiple requests for comment to the three tribes were not returned. Russ Howard, manager of A-LP Operations and Maintenance Association, which manages Lake Nighthorse, said the tribes support the pipeline.

“Everyone bought into this project wanting to put this water to beneficial use,” Howard said. “I don’t see any issue at all.”

A water-wise future

Throughout Colorado and the droughtstricken West, a reckoning with water is happening. In 2020, Dove Creek in Montezuma County almost ran out of municipal water. Just this week, The Washington Post reported a town in California’s San Joaquin Valley will run out of water in two months.

CWCB’s Reidy said that about 15 years ago, mentioning water and growth in the same sentence was a dicey subject. But as these inextricably tied issues come to a head, that’s changed. “Since then, we’ve made a lot of headway on that topic,” Reidy said. “It’s one thing everyone is grappling with at this point.”

Indeed, the Colorado Water Plan addressed the nexus of land use and water, with a number of grants and programs to help communities be more water-conscious.

A shining example, Reidy said, is a Front Range development called Sterling Ranch, which has embraced innovative approaches to water use, including rainwater harvesting, better building designs and low wateruse landscaping. The average home there

uses about .2 acre feet of water a year (the average house uses .5 acre feet).

“We need to really transform our communities into something that can survive,” Reidy said. “It’s hard to predict 10, 20 years out, but we know we’re going to have less water, for sure. So how do you withstand shocks like that and more holistically plan your future?”

Because city and county staff were not available for interviews, it’s hard to get into specific strategies here at the local level. Whereas other major cities such as Santa Fe and Las Vegas have taken drastic measures to conserve water, Durango has not historically implemented water restrictions on homeowners. Instead, the city has opted to work with the 10 biggest water users, including Hillcrest Golf Course, Durango School District 9-R and Fort Lewis College. Not on our doorstep – yet To add yet another layer, Durango is in the midst of a housing crisis and needs more places for people to live (well, specifically, affordable/workforce housing, which only constitutes a small portion of new development). And, it should be noted, water use in individual homes pales in comparison to other sectors.

In Colorado, for instance, agriculture uses nearly 90% of the water that’s consumed in the state, according to a report from Colorado State University. Municipal and industry use, on the other hand, accounts for about 7%.

“Home water use is smaller than industrial and agriculture use, and (home water use) goes back into the system,” Wolff said.

“So I think every sector needs to be more

mindful of water use; that’s going to be critical going into the future.”

As we all should be aware by now, the entire Colorado River system is facing critical water shortages. Rob Genualdi, Colorado Division of Water Resources Division 7 engineer, which covers Durango, said that while Durango/La Plata County has sufficient supply at present, shortages throughout the region are a cause for concern.

“That’s our vulnerability – whether surrounding states and communities with

water shortages somehow trickle our way,” he said. “When and if that might happen is still really unknown at this time. It’s not on our doorstep right now, but you never know what the future might hold.”

CWCB’s Reidy agreed. And he said the only thing we can do is start planning now.

“Communities do run into that – ‘We’re alright until we’re not,’” he said. “But there’s going to be a point where you’ll fall short. That’s why we need to get everyone more proactive with water and land-use planning.”

Tapping into Lake Nighthorse is another option for Durango’s water needs. The City recently approved $500,000 to study a possible pipeline from Nighthorse to Terminal Reservoir./ Photo by Missy Votel

Battle royal

As glaciers melt, sheep and goats fight over salt deposits

by Sam Brasch Colorado Public Radio

Through the lens of a high-powered scope, conservation ecologist Joel Berger noticed something unusual happening on a scrap of mud above the treeline in Montana’s Glacier National Park.

Berger, a professor at Colorado State University and scientist for the Wildlife Conservation Society, had joined doctoral student Forest Hayes on a trip to observe grizzly bears in 2019. Those animals remained hidden, but the scientists watched a tense interaction between two different large mammals: mountain goats and bighorn sheep.

It quickly became apparent the animals could be locked in a turf war. The goats huddled around spots of bare earth once covered by glaciers, which are shrinking due to global warming. When bighorn sheep approached, the goats got serious about protecting the snowless patch of dirt.

“They would do a rush charge with their saber-like horns,” Berger said. “The sheep would move off.”

documents dozens of similar conflicts between goats and sheep in the mountains of Canada, Montana and Colorado. The research suggests the animals might be fighting over salt licks exposed by melting snow and ice in alpine regions, which are warming far faster than other parts of the planet.

Many animals rely on dirt or rocks for micronutrients absent from their normal diets.

The researchers also found a clear winner in the rock-licking resource war. In 98% of contests, goats dominated, forcing the less aggressive sheep to seek minerals elsewhere.

The findings raise new questions about conflicts between the two charismatic mountain dwellers. Even if they look at home in scenic photographs, mountain goats aren’t native to Colorado.

The Colorado Division of Wildlife – now known as Colorado Parks and Wildlife – actively brought goats into the state from more-northern latitudes between 1948-72. The animals quickly spread across the region, providing an ongoing source of government revenue from the sale of hunting permits.

Today, state residents pay $320 to harvest a mountain goat; nonresidents pay $2,343.

Introducing mountain goats brought a

new threat to native bighorn sheep populations, which rely on the same sources of food, water and minerals. Goats can also pass bacterial diseases to sheep.

Those problems have led wildlife officials at Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming to take drastic action to protect its native population of bighorn sheep. Earlier this year, it hired aerial gunners to kill 58 mountain goats living in the park.

Berger’s study included both native and non-native mountain goat habitats. In all cases, the researchers observed the two species battling it out over mineral deposits. The study doesn’t comment on whether mountain goats should be removed from landscapes to protect sheep populations. Instead, it takes a broader view, suggesting they could be an example of climate change spurring an interspecies conflict.

While research on animal battles is scant, Berger and his colleagues found larger species tend to dominate fights over

scarce resources. One study found elephants often scare buffalo and zebra away from desert water holes. A separate study notes rhinos kept antelope out of precious shade.

By understanding how people’s activities contribute to those conflicts, Berger said conservation groups and governments could gain a better sense of how to preserve wildlife. That could be especially important as climate change opens up new resources and takes away others.

As climate change continues to warm the planet, humans and animals could find more reasons to fight.

In his observations of goats and sheep, Berger couldn’t help but think of human conflicts to dominate the Arctic. As sea ice melts, the U.S., Russia and other countries have rushed to control new shipping lanes and fossil fuel resources.

For more from Colorado Public Radio, go to www.cpr.org ■

A study published Monday in the scientific journal Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution

A mountain goat, right, has a standoff with three bighorn sheep on a high-elevation snow patch in Glacier National Park. The goat eventually won. / Photo courtesy of Wildlife Conservation Society/Forest P. Hayes

Local comedian chalks up to raise money for nonprofit the hard way

by Alex Vick

The setting sun splashes hues of pink and gold on the monolithic walls of Indian Creek in Bears Ears National Monument in southeast Utah. Looking across the Martian landscape of this region puts one in awe. Here, local climber and stand-up comic Mike Largent and I had a chance to talk about his latest mission: to rally a community of the next generation of would-be climbers.

Going into “The Creek,” as regulars call it, can be an intimidating feeling. Climbing is demanding of both the mind and body. Dangling 80 feet above the ground connected to a rock by a small piece of metal known as “protection” can be a very powerful and very puckering experience. But it can also have moments of flow and Zen. Off-width crack climbing – cracks larger than the size of a fist – is exponentially more demanding and grueling, often requiring the climber to wedge his or her entire body within dark, dusty cracks in the rock. Not to mention it’s also scarier and mentally taxing as well, since the climbs are less protected by gear.

This extra-demanding subculture of climbing is perhaps what first attracted Largent to his passion for off-width climbing, which he compared to seeing Batman in action. “I realized: One, off-width climbing is for superheroes; two, I am not a superhero; and three, I now really want to be a superhero,” he said.

Largent set off on his quest to become a climbing Batman, learning techniques and mastering movements. In May 2021, he became skilled enough to tackle 5,280 feet – that’s a full mile – while raising funds for The Hive, the local nonprofit youth and community resource center where yours truly is the creative director. In addition to its indoor skate park, The Hive offers programming, mentorships and experiences

in art, music and other active youth pursuits.

This summer, Largent doubled down on his first mission, pledging to climb not 1 but 2 vertical miles of off-width, a total of 10,560 feet. Again, he’d be raising funds – $1 a foot for the first mile – with The Hive matching his funds for the second mile.

To prepare, Largent trained all summer to get himself in peak condition to tackle the mission this October. To achieve this goal, Largent will climb about 20 days total, with days off for rest, at an average of 550 feet per day. “I’ll be climbing four days on, two days off to rest, rinse and repeat,” he said.

Astronomical in my mind, yet Largent is already on his way with 4,800 feet under his belt … or, should I say, climbing harness. Just shy of a mile, I asked how he was holding up. “Some stuff is bruised, some stuff is tender, and my fingers feel like they got held to a belt sander.”

I laugh, understanding the aches and pains of a handful of days spent climbing, but still can’t imagine how his body and head must feel after nearly a mile of vertical feet and with a mile to go.

He smiles and goes on to explain the mental game. “I’m actively trying to shut down the fear in order to climb a scary section by saying, ‘Shut up, we’re here, we’re doing this,’” he said.

But he’s not at it alone. Largent has had people offer belays, snacks and help carrying gear, as well as folks here in Durango who send inspirational messages or donations. “All of these are positive affirmations,” he said, “the positive push of the community.” Slowly but surely, Largent continues to push toward his goal of raising $10,560 for The Hive to inspire youth and other community members to follow their passions.

“Part of the motivation to stay climbing

is seeing the work of others, and there’s plenty of that to get me through the days I just don’t want to,” he said.

So, as we see the vertical feet under Largent’s climbing shoes grow, let’s elevate him with support – whether by donating, holding the rope for him or providing fresh pump-up rap jams to keep him stoked. You can ride along with Largent’s journey as a climber, standup comic, community benefactor and all-around superhero by following him on Instagram at mike_largent or

theatre_of_the_wild. You can also donate to his cause at thehivedgo.org and help fund his personal gear, as it is taking a lot of wear and tear, by visiting gofundme.com and searching “2 Miles of Off-Width.”

And, if you find yourself in the desert at sunset gazing at the beautifully monstrous walls and obelisks, singing Seal’s “Kiss From a Rose,” think of Largent squeezed into a crack somewhere.

“It’s quite cheesy, but the right flavor of cheese in the desert at sunset,” said Largent.

Mike Largent en route to climbing 2 vertical miles (that’s more than 10,000 feet) of Indian Creek’s most punishing cracks.

Stuff to Do

Ska-BQ with Rob Webster, 5 p.m., Ska Brewing, 225 Girard St.

Live music, 5 p.m., Diamond Belle, 699 Main Ave.

Live music, 5 p.m., The Office, 699 Main Ave.

Third Thursday Speaker Series: Kellie Pettyjohn, 6:30 p.m., Fenceline Cider, Mancos.

Meditation, 5:30 p.m., Durango Dharma Center, 1800 E. 3rd Ave, Suite 109.

Trivia Night, 6:30 p.m., Powerhouse Science Center, 1333 Camino del Rio.

Smelter Mountain Boys play, 7-10 p.m., 11th Street Station.

Friday21

Fall Festival, featuring pumpkin patch, corn maze and other family activities, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Jack-A-Lope Acres, 7195 County Road 318.

Gary Walker plays, 10 a.m.-12 noon, Jean-Pierre Bakery & Restaurant, 601 Main Ave.

Live music, 5 p.m., Diamond Belle, 699 Main Ave.

Live music, 5 p.m., The Office, 699 Main Ave.

Edward Aldrich opening reception, 5 p.m., Sorrel Sky Gallery, 828 Main Ave.

and other family activities, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Jack-A-Lope Acres, 7195 County Road 318.

Vallecito Fallfest, featuring pumpkin decorating, car show, story hour & live music by Terry Richard, 9 a.m.-9 p.m., Weminuche Woodfire Grill, Vallecito.

Fort Lewis College Homecoming, 10 a.m., FLC Stadium, featuring catered brunch, yard games, kidfriendly activities, live music by Nu Bass Theory. Football game at 12 noon.

MET LIVE: “Medea,” 10:55 a.m., Vallecito Room at Fort Lewis College.

White Mesa Ute Community Spiritual Walk & Protest, 11 a.m., White Mesa Community Center, Utah. Rally to protect communities, health, environment and Indigenous sacred landscapes. Find more information at www.grandcanyontrust.org

Four Corners Metal Festival, featuring 18 bands, 11 a.m., Inspired Moments Event Center, 310 W. Main St., Farmington.

Spooky Saturdays, featuring costume making, mask painting and art for Halloween carnival, The Hive, 1150 Main Ave.

Andrew Schuhmann plays, 1-4 p.m., 11th Street Station.

Drama Club plays, 5 p.m., Mancos Brewing Co.

Live music, 5 p.m., Diamond Belle, 699 Main Ave.

Fall Festival, featuring pumpkin patch, corn maze and other family activities, 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Jack-A-Lope Acres, 7195 County Road 318.

Ian Lennox plays, 1-4 p.m., 11th Street Station.

FLC Performing Arts Presents: “Cabaret,” 2 p.m., Mainstage Theater, durangoconcerts.com

Open Mic, 2 p.m., Mancos Brewing Co.

Live music, 5 p.m., Diamond Belle, 699 Main Ave.

Live music, 5 p.m., The Office, 699 Main Ave.

Jazz/Funk/Soul Jam, 6 p.m., 11th Street Station.

Comedy Show, 6:30 p.m., Olde Tymer’s Café, 1000 Main Ave.

Monday24

Live music, 5 p.m., Diamond Belle, 699 Main Ave.

Live music, 5 p.m., The Office, 699 Main Ave.

Meditation and Dharma Talk, 5:30 p.m., Durango Dharma Center, 1800 E. 3rd Ave, Suite 109.

Game Night, 6 p.m., The Hive, 1150 Main Ave.

Comedy Open Mic, 8 p.m., Starlight Lounge, 937 Main Ave.

at noon. To submit an item,

A Spooky Night at the Pumpkin Patch, 6 p.m., Falfa Pumpkin Patch, 54 County Road 221.

Alicia Stockman plays, 6 p.m., Fenceline Cider, Mancos.

Wild Country Band plays, 6 p.m., Weminuche Woodfire Grill, Vallecito.

Bat Walk & Talk, 6:30 p.m., Powerhouse Science Center, 1333 Camino del Rio.

Vintage Brew plays, 7-10 p.m., 11th Street Station.

Community Yoga, 6-7 p.m., Yoga Durango, 1485 Florida Rd. Donations accepted.

Lavalanche plays, 6 p.m., Fenceline Cider, Mancos.

Matt Rupnow plays, 6 p.m., The Office, 699 Main.

Fall Bonfire, 6-9 p.m., featuring music by The Gershom Brothers, food and wine, Wines of the San Juan. Tickets only available in advance, winesofthesanjuan.com

Kindred Spirit plays, 7-10 p.m., 11th Street Station.

Wellington Bullings & Nu Bass Theory play, 7 p.m., iNDIGO Room, 1315 Main Ave.

is

Mishka & Of Good Nature play, 7 p.m., Animas City Theatre.

Improv Night, 7 p.m., Durango Arts Center, 802 E. 2nd Ave.

FLC Performing Arts Presents: “Cabaret,” 7:30 p.m., Mainstage Theater, durangoconcerts.com

“The Addams Family” movie showing, 8 p.m., Jack-A-Lope Acres, 7195 County Road 318.

Saturday22

Durango Farmers Market, 9 a.m.-12 noon, TBK Bank parking lot, live music by Johnny Johnston.

Fall Festival, featuring pumpkin patch, corn maze

FLC Performing Arts Presents: “Cabaret,” 7:30 p.m., Mainstage Theater, durangoconcerts.com

Flashlight Corn Maze, 8 p.m., Jack-A-Lope Acres, 7195 County Road 318.

The Secret Circus Society presents: “Freaks & Treats,” 8 p.m., Animas City Theatre.

Silent Disco w/Forest Thump, 10 p.m.-12:30 a.m., 11th Street Station.

Sunday23

Durango Flea Market, 8 a.m., La Plata County Fairgrounds, 2500 Main Ave.

Tuesday25

Live music, 5 p.m., Diamond Belle, 699 Main Ave.

Live music, 5 p.m., The Office, 699 Main Ave.

Author Event & Book Signing: Natalie Diaz, 6 p.m., FLC’s Community Concert Hall.

Open Mic Night, weekly 7:30-9:30 p.m., Starlight Lounge, 937 Main Ave.

Comedy Open Mic, weekly, 9 p.m., 11th St. Station.

Wednesday26

KSUT Open House, 9 a.m.-6 p.m., 15150 Highway 172, Ignacio. Celebrating move into new Eddie Box, Jr. Media Center.

Live music, 5 p.m., Diamond Belle, 699 Main Ave.

Live music, 5 p.m., The Office, 699 Main Ave.

Dustin Burley plays, 7-10 p.m., 11th Street Station.

KBong & Johnny Cosmic play, 7:30 p.m., Animas City Theatre.

Geeks Who Drink Trivia, 8 p.m., The Roost, 128 E. College Dr.

$61.20/mo.

Promo Code: FALL10

Escalante Dr, Ste. 202, Durango Above Sunnyside Farms Market, in Purple Cliffs Wellness Center

AskRachel

Hangover helper, email ghosting & oiled up

Interesting fact: 7Up is so named for its seven ingredients, including lithium citrate, which was intended to offer a mood lift (but was later banned by the FDA). Also, 7Up was patented as a cure for hangovers. Sounds better than lavender oil.

Dear Rachel,

Love the young lady with the hangover from whiskey. Well I bet she had it with Coke or 7Up, not with water or on the rocks. I would suggest she starts out with good hooch and drinks slowly and gets the glow of good whiskey. To help, she might put a little shot in her coffee in the a.m. It’s called a Coffee Bracer. Small shot, relaxes and perks you up for the day ahead. She will get mellow and forget the night before and have a glow all day. NOT BEFORE WORK.

– Jack Danials

tations. Like, someone sends me a friendly note or a business request. I leave it marked unread in my inbox as a reminder to get to it. But then… I don’t. At some point, it feels worse to respond than to delete and ignore forever. What is that point?

– Signed, Sealed, Undelivered

Dear Spam Filter,

That is the limit: 30 days, or whenever your spam filter automatically deletes messages. Plausible deniability and all. If it ever comes up in the future, like at your Kennedy Center Honors event, you can say, “Oh, I never got that email. I bet it went into spam!” At least this is what I ought to start doing with letters I don’t wish to answer.

– Marked as phishy, Rachel

Dear Johnny Denials,

Once I convinced myself I wasn’t suffering from sudden-onset alcohol poisoning, I realized this letter was in reference to last week’s letter-writer asking why coffee is a standard hangover drink. No hint of gender, age or mixer of choice. Not sure why you had to go get all presumptuous and, frankly, creepy about this person “forgetting the night before” and “having a glow all day.” God, I hope that letter-writer was a burly daddy.

– Whiskey goggled, Rachel

Dear Rachel, I’m all for food-as-medicine, in the sense that what we put in our bodies has an effect on our bodies. But I am ready to draw the line at all these essential oils. Or, rather, all the people obsessing over them. Oils for headaches! Oils for wealth! I for one am convinced 98% of any benefit is the almighty placebo effect – hey, maybe we just start replacing “snake” with “lavender” in the old oil-salesman label. Unless you can change my mind?

– Snake Eyes

Dear Rachel,

I’m wondering if emails have a statute of limi-

Trivia Night, 6 p.m., Zia’s north, 2977 Main Ave.

Johnny Johnston plays, 7-10 p.m., 11th Street Station.

Stand-up Comedian Alex Moffat, 7:30 p.m., FLC Community Concert Hall.

Geeks Who Drink Trivia, 8 p.m., The Roost, 128 E. College Dr.

Ongoing

“Wild Kratts: Ocean Adventure! And Creature Power!” hands-on exhibits with focus on STEM skills for kids, runs until Jan. 7, Farmington Museum, 3041 E. Main St.

The Hive Indoor Skate Park, open skate and skate lessons. Waivers required. thehivedgo.org

Upcoming

FLC Performing Arts Presents: “Cabaret,” Oct. 27-29 at 7:30 p.m., Mainstage Theater, durangoconcerts.com

Stillhouse Junkies play, Oct. 27 w/Wood Belly & Oct. 28 w/High Country Hustle, 7 p.m., Animas City Theatre.

20MOONS presents “Boxes Branches and Thread,” a living installation, 4-8 p.m. on Oct. 28, 12 noon-8 p.m. on Oct. 29, & 11 a.m.-7 p.m. on Oct. 30, Stillwater Music,

Dear Greased Up,

I used to never buy olive oil, because it was so darn expensive. Then I had a frugality guru put it to me like this:

1316 Main Ave., Suite C.

Rocky Horror Show, Oct. 28-29 at 7 p.m. and 10 p.m.; & Oct. 30 at 7 p.m., Durango Arts Center, 802 E. 2nd Ave.

Animas River Fall Cleanup, Oct. 29, 9 a.m.-12 noon, Santa Rita Park. Bring gloves, water and layers. Lunch provided for volunteers.

Three Springs Fall Festival, Oct. 29, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Three Springs Plaza. Live music by Black Velvet.

Lawn Chair Kings play, Halloween costume party, Oct. 29, 3-6 p.m., Mancos Brewing.

MarchFourth plays, Nov. 1, 7 p.m., Animas City Theatre.

Friends of the Library Book Sale, Nov. 4-5, 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m., Durango Public Library.

Deadline for “On the Town” submissions is Monday at noon.

To submit an item email: calendar@ durango telegraph.com

calories per dollar, it’s a steal. Plus, it’s got loads of good things for you. So now olive oil is the base of my food pyramid. It relaxes me for the day ahead and perks me up for the day ahead and puts a glow on my face, at least when I drizzle it directly on my face. And a jug costs half as much as a vial of lavender oil. Screw that stuff.

– A side of focaccia, Rachel

Email questions to telegraph@durangotelegraph.com

FreeWillAstrology

by Rob Brezsny

ARIES (March 21-April 19):

“We must be willing to let go of the life we planned so as to have the life that is waiting for us.” Aries mythologist Joseph Campbell said that, and now I’m passing it on to you just in time for the Sacred Surrender Phase of your astrological cycle. Make sage use of Campbell’s wisdom, Aries! You will generate good fortune for yourself as you work to release expectations that may be interfering with the arrival of new stories and adventures. Be brave, my dear, as you relinquish outdated attachments and shed defunct hopes.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20):

Plastic bags are used for an average of 12 minutes before being discarded. Then they languish in our soil or oceans, degrading slowly as they cause mayhem for animals and ecosystems. In alignment with current cosmic rhythms, I’m encouraging you to be extra discerning in your relationship with plastic bags – as well as with all other unproductive, impractical, wasteful things and people. In the coming weeks, you will thrive by focusing on what will serve you with high integrity for a long time.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20):

Achilleas Frangakis is a professor of electron microscopy. He studies the biochemistry of cells. In one of his research projects, he investigated how cells interact with the outside world. He didn’t learn much about that question, but as he experimented, he inadvertently uncovered fascinating new information about another subject: how cells interact with each other when they heal a wound. His “successful failure” was an example of what scientists sometimes do: They miss what they looked for, but find unexpected data and make serendipitous discoveries. I suspect you will experience comparable luck sometime soon, Gemini. Be alert for goodies you weren’t in quest of.

CANCER (June 21-July 22):

Renowned Brazilian novelist Osman Lins was born under the sign of Cancer the Crab. He wrote, “I will now live my life with the inventiveness of an engineer who drives his locomotive off the tracks. No more beaten paths: improvisation is the rule.” In the coming weeks, I am all in favor of you, my fellow Cancerian, being an inventive adventurer who improvises liberally and departs from well-worn routes. However, I don’t recommend you do the equivalent of running your train off the tracks. Let’s instead imagine you as piloting a four-wheel-drive, all-terrain vehicle. Go off-road to explore. Improvise enthusiastically as you reconnoiter the unknown. But do so with scrupulous attention to what’s healthy and inspiring.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): In recent years, art historians have recovered numerous masterpieces that had been missing for years. They include a sculpture by Bernini, a sketch by Picasso, a drawing by Albrecht Dürer and a painting by Titian. I’m a big fan of efforts like these: searching for and finding lost treasures. And I think you should make that a fun project in the coming weeks. Are there any beautiful creations that have been lost or forgotten? Useful resources that have been neglected? Wild truths that have been buried or underestimated? In accordance with astrological potentials, I hope you will explore such possibilities.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22):

The most important experience for you to seek in the coming months is to be seen and respected for who you really are. Who are the allies best able to give you that blessing? Make vigorous efforts to keep them close and treat them well. To inspire your mission, I offer you three quotes. 1. Franz Kafka said, “All the love in the world is useless if there is a total lack of understanding.” 2. Anaïs Nin wrote, “I don’t want worship. I want understanding.” 3. George Orwell: “Perhaps one did not want to be loved so much as to be understood.”

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22):

Libra poet Wallace Stevens said that the great poems of heaven and hell have already been written, and now it is time to generate the great poems of Earth. I’d love to invite all Libras, including non-writers, to apply that perspective in their own sphere. Just forget about heaven and hell for now. Turn your attention away from perfection and fantasylands and lofty heights. Disregard pathologies and muck and misery. Instead, explore and celebrate the precious mysteries of the world as it is. Be a connoisseur of the beauty and small miracles embedded in life’s little details. Find glory in the routine.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21):

Here are two top Scorpio pastimes: 1. exploring and deploying your intense, fertile creativity; 2. spiraling gleefully down into deep, dark voids in pursuit of deep, dark riches. Sometimes those two hobbies dovetail quite well; you can satisfy both pursuits simultaneously. One of my favorite variations on this scenario is when the deep, dark void you leap into turns out to actually be a lush wonderland that stimulates your intense, fertile creativity. According to my analysis of the astrological omens, that’s likely to happen soon.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22Dec. 21): “I don’t want to be made pacified or made comfortable. I like stuff that gets your adrenaline going.” Sagit-

tarian filmmaker Kathryn Bigelow said that. With the help of this attitude, she became the first woman ever to win an Academy Award for Best Director. Her film was “The Hurt Locker,” about American soldiers in Iraq who dispose of unexploded bombs while being harassed by enemies. Anyway, Bigelow’s approach is usually too hard-ass for me. I’m a sensitive Cancer the Crab, not a bold Sagittarius the Centaur like Bigelow and you. But I don’t want to assume you’re in the mood for her approach. If you are, though, the coming weeks will be a favorable time to deploy it. Some marvelous epiphanies and healing changes will be available if you forswear stuff that makes you pacified or comfortable.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Author Jan Richardson tells us we can’t return home by taking the same route we used when we departed. This will be wise advice for you to keep in mind during the next nine months. I expect you will be attempting at least two kinds of homecomings. For best results, plan to travel by different routes than those that might seem natural and obvious. The most direct path – the successful passage – may be circuitous.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): In the coming days, maintain strict boundaries between yourself and anyone or anything that’s not healthy for you. Be ultra-discerning as you decide which influences you will allow to affect you and which you won’t. And rather than getting sour and tense as you do this, I recommend you proceed with wicked humor and sly irony. Here are three saucy self-protective statements you can use to ward off threats and remain inviolable. 1. “The current ambiance does not align sweetly with my vital soul energy; I must go track down some more harmonious karma.” 2. “This atmosphere is out of sync with my deep precious selfness; I am compelled to take my deep precious selfness elsewhere.” 3. “The undertones here are agitating my undercurrents; it behooves me to track down groovier overtones.”

PISCES (Feb. 19-March

20): While asleep, have you ever dreamt of discovering new rooms in a house or other building you know well? I bet you will have at least one such dream soon. What does it mean? It suggests you want and need to get in touch with parts of yourself that have been dormant or unavailable. You may uncover evocative secrets about your past and present that had been unknown to you. You will learn about new resources you can access and provocative possibilities you had never imagined.

classifieds

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 www.durangotelegraph.com n classifieds@durango telegraph.com n 970-259-0133

n 679 E. 2nd Ave., #E2

Approximate office hours:

Mon: 9ish - 5ish

Tues: 9ish - 5ish

Wed: 9ish - 3ish

Thurs: On delivery

Fri: Gone fishing; call first

Announcements

Applications for Advanced Standing MSW Program

Students with a bachelor’s degree in social work (BSW) are eligible for a oneyear Masters of Social Work program through the University of Denver. The program starts summer 2023 and classes are taught in Durango. Stipends for child welfare, integrated behavioral health care are available.  Native American tuition support to eligible students is also available.  For more info contact Janelle. Doughty@du.edu or www.du.edu/social work.

Classes/Workshops

Yoga for Grief & Loss

5-wk series begins Nov. 7. Mondays, 5:30-7:30 pm. Details at birdsongyoga therapy.com/upcoming-events/.

Write Like a Zombie!

Learn a new lettering style just in time for Halloween! Adult class: Sat, Oct. 29. Limited class size. Email: heather@letslet tertogether.com

West Coast Swing Dance

6-week class starts November 2. Learn the basics of West Coast Swing. Registration is required at www.westslopewesties .com.

HelpWanted

Looking for a Sweet Job?

Durango Outdoor Exchange is hiring for part-time and full-time positions. Do you have -retail sales experience -gear knowledge -Saturday and holiday season availability  -self motivation -stoke for outdoors? Come join the crew! Applications available on our website or swing by to meet with Bryce. www.durangoout doorexchange.com/pages/who-we-are 3677 Main Ave.

ForRent

Unfurnished 2-bed, 1-ba house

In town w/stove, fridge, w/d. Fenced yard + 150 sq. ft. storage. New interior paint, refinished hardwood floors. No students, no smokers, small pet negotiable. $1600 + utils. $1600/dep. Avail. Nov. 1. 970-903-7809

ForSale

Recreational Kayaks

Wilderness Systems Pungo & Prism Aquaterra; both gently used. Paddles included, $50 each. 970-507-1608

Gordon Smith FibreFlex Longboard

A classic – sweet, smooth ride for cushy cruising. Been around the block but still in great shape. 42” long. $50 Text: 970-749-2595.

Vassago Jabberwocky Singlespeed

17” steel frame, black, hardtail, front Fox 32” fork. Set up for tubeless, decent rubber. Super fun, light and zippy bike –great for in-town rides, Phil’s or more. $700 Text: 970-749-2595.

GoPro Camera

Hero 5. A few years old but only used once or twice and otherwise just sat in a drawer. It is deserving of a more exciting owner! $150 OBO. Text 970-749-2595

Reruns Home Furnishings

Cozy up your home: bistros, dressers, mid-century end tables, rugs, primitive table and industrial Urban Market chair. Lots of cool stuff, ever-changing inventory … Patio blowout continues! 572 E. 6th Ave. Open Mon.-Sat. 385-7336.

Wanted

Seeking Studio or Workspace

Seeking workspace in valley, Florida Rd or 81301. Studio, barn or outbuilding with slab and electric. Would consider helping to rehab or improve. Two responsible sculptors with moderate budget ready to make long-term or short-term commitment. Please contact Tom at penn thomas24@yahoo.com

Cash for Vehicles, Copper, Alum, Etc. at RJ Metal Recycle. Also free appliance and other metal drop off. 970-259-3494.

Services

Need Insight into Your Life

And a planet that appears to have gone mad? Call or text for a reading and energy balancing, 970 759 9287.

Friendly Carpentry and Painting Stucco repair, 707-806-3456.

Marketing Small and Local Businesses

Media, website building and content editing, copywriting and editing, newsletters, blogs, etc. for small, local, independent or startup businesses. www.forward pedal.com or email jnderge@gmail.com

Harmony Cleaning and Organizing

Residential, offices, commercial and vacation rentals, 970-403-6192.

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.

TeleFlashBack2002

HaikuMovieReview

‘A Trip To Infinity' A Halloween treat if, like me, you find math to be terrifying

– Lainie Maxson

BodyWork

Lotus Path Healing Arts

Offering Esalen massage, deep tissue & Acutonics, 24 years of experience. To schedule call Kathryn, 970-201-3373.

Massage by Meg Bush

LMT, 30, 60 & 90 min., 970-759-0199.

CommunityService

Volunteers Needed

Alternative Horizons is in need of volunteer hotline advocates. AH supports survivors of Domestic Violence. Call 970247-4374 for more details.