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Hi Durango, we made it to Thursday! 

In today’s fun-for-grown-ups edition: Why wildfire risk is spiking insurance costs, a $30 million arena plan faces scrutiny, and gold and silver’s surge + plenty of reasons to put on real pants this week.

Today’s sponsor, Spot Pet Insurance, is something I wish I had before a late-night emergency vet visit left me with a $10,000 credit card bill. It’s cheaper than Netflix… and means you never have to choose between your pet and your savings. It takes less than 5 minutes to sign up – get started here.

📰 In the news

Why some counties pay more: Wildfire risk makes up 24.6% of insurance costs in La Plata County, home to Durango, highest in Colorado. A law taking effect in July could reward mitigation and fortified roofs — see what’s driving premiums.

Where past fuels adventure: Fresh travel coverage spotlights Dolores joining Pagosa Springs, Towaoc, Cortez, Mancos, and Durango in an adventure circuit celebrating Mesa Verde’s cliff dwellings and Canyons of the Ancients’ Puebloan history — check out the full lineup.

New venue faces scrutiny: Plans for a $30 million arena in southern Colorado have cleared an initial hurdle, promising a 28,000-square-foot venue for 2,000, while some locals question tax impacts from the church-led proposal — get all the details.

Gold & silver are hot: Coming off gold’s best year since 1979, the momentum is carrying well into 2026 with silver remaining one of the most talked-about assets. Curious why they’re back in focus? American Hartford Gold has a free guide that explains what’s happening and how people are approaching it today. It’s free – and definitely worth a read.

Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175/month. Paying more than that? Same, so I did some shopping around and ended up cutting my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too — here’s the comparison tool I used.

Highlights this week:

• Learn strategies to avoid nursing homes
• Join Lower Left’s final curtain call
• Define quality of life, manage symptoms
• This top-tier home warranty is 50% off right now
• Save on self-care during the CVS Epic Beauty Sale

🐾 One pet emergency can cost $10,000+

Together with our sponsor Spot Pet Insurance

Nothing prepares you for a late-night emergency at the vet. I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache.

From the initial exam fee just to be seen, to x-rays, surgery, medication, and follow-up visits… the bill racks up fast (to say the least). And at that moment? You’re not thinking about your savings, you’re just saying yes to whatever keeps them thriving.

As soon as we got home, I dug around online and ultimately signed up for Spot.

It’s super affordable and reimburses up to 90% on qualified vet bills. It was too late for me, but it’s not too late for you. Sign up today.

🫶 We got your back

Real-deal ranch burger fix: When the craving hits, James Ranch Grill delivers with ranch-raised, grass-fed beef and house-made cheeses, plus that easy Animas Valley vibe that turns a weekday into a mini escape. It’s a burger that tastes like Durango, with simple ingredients and big flavor.

Low‑key local fix: Chapman Hill Ice Rink / Roller Rink keeps it simple and fun, with ice in winter and wheels when it warms. It’s an easy, close-to-home reset with a smooth surface, skate rentals, and the occasional disco vibe… a plan you’ll actually stick to.

Curiosity you can touch: Whether your kids have wiggles or you’re a grown-up tinkerer, The Powerhouse turns afternoons into aha moments with hands-on exhibits, maker vibes, and riverside history that makes science feel like recess for everyone, every visit.

Access cash without selling your home: A reverse mortgage can help anyone over 62 cover everyday expenses, support healthcare needs, fund home improvements, or even reduce pressure on 401(k) withdrawals – all while staying in your home. Longbridge offers a free calculator to estimate how much flexibility your home could provide, with no commitment required.

📆 Durango for grown ups

Have an event to share? BaseLocal Verified Businesses can submit them for free! Learn more about how to submit an event here →

All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.

🎨 Second Annual Disability Art Show @ Durango Arts Center | Friday (3/6) at 5:00 PM – Pop into the Second Annual Disability Art Show, curated, created, and led by the disability community from across Southwest Colorado with Our Own Lives. Hit the First Friday opening, then the First Friday sendoff, because one lap never does it justice.

🎨 Erin Currier: Renderer Wanderer @ Blue Rain Gallery | Friday (3/6) at 5:00 PM – First Friday at Blue Rain Durango brings Erin Currier’s first solo here, a vibrant mix of collages, paintings, drawings, and a retrospective. The Santa Fe artist will be there, so ask about the layers, then nod like you always knew. Real art night, zero pretense.

🎨 First Friday Artist Social – March @ The Smiley Building | Friday (3/6) at 5:30 PM – Skip the grocery line and swing by The Smiley for First Friday at The ArtRoom Collective. It’s an easy mingle with real working studios, 24 makers actually making, snacks that aren’t from a board meeting, and art you can take home if it flirts back.

🧵 Weaving Class for Beginners @ Pine River Library | Saturday (3/7) at 1:00 PM – Finally learn what warp and weft mean with Four Corners Weavers Guild’s beginner class, where you’ll make a fridge-worthy 6×8 on a loom, then take it home. Free, all ages, limited spots, so register online or at the front desk, because thumbs need a break.

🌳 Ragged Oak @ The iNDIGO Room | Saturday (3/7) at 8:00 PM – Skip the small talk and let Ragged Oak do the brooding for you. Durango’s post-rock shapeshifters build big, cinematic swells that sneak up on your feelings, then buy you a drink. Snag presale, save a couple bucks, support the hometown weird.

🎸 People We Know Powderhouse Palooza @ Purgatory Ski Resort | Sunday (3/8) at 12:00 PM – Whether your knees are vintage or still under warranty, this spring skiing bash at the Powderhouse delivers soft turns, cold drinks, and zero pretense. Ski down, raise a glass, then catch People We Know’s first on-mountain performance at Purgatory, après that earns its calories.

🎼 Mostly Mozart 2026 @ St. Mark’s Episcopal Church | Sunday (3/8) at 2:00 PM – This year, the Bach Festival lets Mozart crash the party with a week of sparkling instrumental and vocal gems. Hit a lunch concert catered by Manna, bring the crew to student recitals, and finish with Eine Kleine Nachtmusik from the San Juan Symphony Chamber Singers.

Live music & entertainment:

• 3/5 Open Mic Night @ American Legion Trujillo-Sheets Post 28 – 6:00 PM
• 3/7 Ragged Oak @ The iNDIGO Room – 8:00 PM
• 3/8 People We Know Powderhouse Palooza @ Purgatory Ski Resort – 12:00 PM
• 3/8 Mostly Mozart 2026 @ St. Mark’s Episcopal Church – 2:00 PM
• 3/9 Music Mixer: Acoustic Meet Up @ iAM MUSIC – 5:30 PM
• 3/12 Open Mic Night @ American Legion Trujillo – Sheets Post 28 – 6:00 PM
• 3/12 Matt the Electrician @ Fort Lewis College – 7:30 PM

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

🔥 Worth a peek

We’re always on the hunt for useful resources, deals, services, and products we think you’ll love. Here’s what caught our eye this week.

• Thinning hair? Don’t wait – here are 3 treatments that work
• This free tool helps connect you with the right financial advisor
• Got debt? You may be able to pay less than you owe
• Protect your pet from disaster with this pet insurance plan
• You can own physical gold and silver in your retirement account

📻 Durango report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 58°F – Low: 24°F – Precip: 27%

A chance of rain showers after 5pm. Sunny, with a high near 58. South wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. Later: A chance of rain showers before 8pm, then a chance of rain and snow showers between 8pm and 11pm, then a chance of snow showers and a slight chance of thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 24. West southwest wind 5 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible.

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Tomorrow – High: 45°F – Low: 20°F – Precip: 35%

A chance of snow showers before 5pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 45. West wind 5 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 20.

Someone Googled you this week 👀

It may feel like an invasion of privacy, but unfortunately It’s the new normal. Whether you’re joining a committee, selling something locally, dating again, or just meeting new neighbors… people are going to look you up online.

Like it or not, the internet has a way of surfacing past mistakes and outdated information that no longer reflects who you are.

Thankfully, there’s a really easy way for you – or someone you care about – to clean up outdated results that no longer tell the real story. Learn more here.

This house is wild

This 2016-built, 4,000-square-foot retreat in the Castle Rock gated neighborhood soaks in sweeping views of the Needles, Twilight Peaks, Missionary Ridge, and Elektra Lake. It features 4 beds, 4.5 baths, vaulted ceilings and expansive windows, three outdoor living spaces including a 6-person Nordic hot tub, a game-media level with wet bar, and a bonus suite with floating bunks.

Take a peek inside →