Sip Some History of Southwest Colorado

The Farmington Chamber of Commerce is hosting a free Business to Business Expo on Thursday, June 6th from 11:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Farmington Civic Center. The San Juan County Adult Detention Center recently celebrated the opening of its Reentry Resource Center. The Farmington Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the Young Professionals Network, is seeking hole sponsors for its annual golf scramble, Tees and Tunes, taking place on Friday, July 12th at the San Juan Country Club. The Colorado Department of Transportation would like to remind drivers that US Highway 550 will be closed to vehicles on Saturday, May 25th between Purgatory Ski Resort and Silverton for the Iron Horse Bicycle Classic. By Rachel Hughes. This story is sponsored by Traeger's Bar and Boon's Family Thai BBQ.

The Connie Gotsch Foundation will close its doors after 11 years of supporting and encouraging local artists and arts programs in San Juan County. Make sure to pick up the 2024-25 sculpture guide, with the 11 new sculptures that have been installed across Downtown Farmington. Mark your calendars for the presentation of the 2024 Paddling Film Festival, taking place May 26th at the Totah Theatre. And at a recent visit to the Southern Ute Indian Tribal Council, Senator Michael Bennet and Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner Touton announced $2.3 million in funding for the Pine River Indian Irrigation Project. By Hannah Robertson. This story is sponsored by SunRay Park and Casino and Three Rivers Brewery.

San Juan County officials rededicated the old Cedar Hill Bridge for pedestrian use 110 years after the bridge was first built on April 30th. The bridge was installed by residents in 1914, and for much of its life, the bridge served as the area’s main Animas River crossing. The bridge now connects a two-mile walking loop in Cedar Hill. By Connor Shreve. This Story is sponsored by Ace Hardware of Farmington and The Big Idea Makerspace at San Juan College.

Four Corners Economic Development and the Alliance for Navajo Broadband are hosting a conference on broadband planning and development efforts in Farmington and San Juan County. Join the Outdoor Recreation Industry Initiative and Desert River Guides for a clean-up along the Animas River Corridor, and with the weather warming up, San Juan County Sheriff’s Office reminds you to keep your furry furriends safe and cool. By Hannah Robertson. This story is sponsored by Distill Beer Wine Spirits and Durango Motor Company.

Fraudulent tax letters are being sent out to property owners, and the New Mexico Taxation and Revenue Department warns property owners to be careful about responding to notices in letters. The historic Cedar Hill Pedestrian Bridge re-opens after seven years and restoration work, and there is still time to submit photos for the Visit Farmington 2025 vacation guide. By Hannah Robertson. This story is sponsored by Traegers Bar and Northern Edge Casino.

The Farmington High School Scorpions can extend their season with a win against New Mexico’s number-one team, La Cueva High School. La Cueva is 19-2 coming off a 17-2 win over Sandia. With five games remaining, FHS needs wins to guarantee a postseason berth. By Connor Shreve. This story is sponsored by Home 2 suites and Boons Family Thai BBQ.

Celebrate and support young filmmakers at the Film Four Corners Student Film Showcase. The second round of the Student Well-Being and Competency Survey from Farmington Municipal Schools has opened for responses. Responses will help FMS to better address student needs from education to social/emotional development. And San Juan Symphony has a summer line-up full of opportunities, from concerts to workshops and more. By Hannah Robertson. This story is sponsored by Three Rivers Brewery and Distill Beer Wine Spirits.

Lake Farmington has kicked off its summer season, offering opportunities for boating, paddleboarding, and kayaking from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. daily, with the beach opening on May 25th. New this year is an inflatable aqua park at the beach, set to open on Memorial Day weekend. Fort Lewis College will host the Four Corners Climate Summit on April 27th, featuring presentations by climate experts, including a keynote by environmentalist Terry Tempest Williams. Additionally, San Juan County is renewing efforts with Septic Safe San Juan County to educate residents about the dangers of unsecured septic tank lids, aiming to prevent accidents, especially among children, during the warmer months. By Hannah Robertson. This story is sponsored by SunRay Park and Casino and Durango Motor Company.

Girls with G.R.I.T. is a program initiated by the San Juan County Sheriff's Office, focusing on empowering women with essential skills while fostering connections between law enforcement and the community. Led by experts, the program covers a range of topics, from firearms and defensive tactics to recognizing personal safety and investigating crimes. Participants report heightened confidence and awareness, contributing to a safer and more connected community. By Sadie Smith. This story is sponsored by Farmington Chamber of Commerce.

San Juan County’s 28th Annual Home & Garden EXPO, brought to you by the San Juan County Home Builders Association, is this weekend, April 12th and 13th, at McGee Park Convention Center. The Farmington Jazz Festival is this Saturday, April 13th, with workshops, live music, and an after hours Jazz Jam. The Theater Ensemble Arts production of Almost Maine opens Friday, April 19th, and runs through Sunday, April 28th at the Totah Theater. New Beginnings is holding its second annual Poker Run on Saturday, April 20th for Sexual Assault Awareness Month. By Rachel Hughes. This story is sponsored by The Big Idea Makerspace at San Juan College and Ace Hardware in Farmington

Aztec Adventures three-race gravel series runs from April through October featuring the unique terrain outside Farmington, Aztec, and Blanco. The Galactic Grinder opens the action on April 6th with three distance options for riders of all abilities. Reliant on the energy sector for decades, the sandy washes and windy ridges surrounding Aztec and Farmington offer a scenic and challenging cycling arena easily accessible from a large portion of the Four Corners region. By Connor Shreve. This story is sponsored by Home2Suites and Northern Edge Casino.

High school students and recent graduates are encouraged to apply for paid internships this summer with San Juan County. The Farmington City Council recently approved plans for the revitalization of the Animas District part of Farmington, which includes the Health Hub area, and it’s not too late to sign up for the 100% San Juan County Summit this month. By Hannah Robertson. This story is sponsored by Traeger’s Bar and Boon’s Family Thai BBQ.

Farmington High School Troupe 381 takes us back to Rydell High for a 50’s joyride through one of musical theatre’s favorite high school love stories. Grease runs from March 29th through April 6th at Farmington High School’s Spotlight Theatre. Troupe 381 has grown into a thriving youth theatre program serving around 50 FHS students who participate in all aspects of the production process. Tickets for Grease are available online. By Jessica McCallum. This story is sponsored by Boon’s Family Thai BBQ and Home2Suites.

The San Juan County Assessor’s Office is offering in-office assistance to veterans and surviving spouses for filing tax exemptions on April 2nd. San Juan County Commission is seeking letters of interest from eligible citizens residing in District Three to fill the open seat due to the resignation of Representative T Ryan Lane. And the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office has received $90,000 for a new virtual reality simulator to enhance use-of-force training, providing dynamic scenarios for officers to better prepare for real-life situations. By Hannah Robertson. This story is sponsored by Ace Hardware of Farmington and Distill Beer Wine and Spirits.

San Juan Regional Medical Center has been honored with the Family Friendly Business Platinum Level Award from Family Friendly New Mexico, recognizing its exceptional support for employees and their families. San Juan County has secured a $30,000 grant to develop a comprehensive guide to gravel biking trails, capitalizing on the region's extensive network of dirt and gravel roads for recreational use. Despite a typical fire season outlook for San Juan County, officials urge caution and adherence to burning regulations as conditions can quickly change. The Aztec Museum and Pioneer Village invites families to celebrate its 60th anniversary with an Easter Egg Hunt on March 30th. By Hannah Robertson. This story is sponsored by Durango Motor Company and Distill Beer Wine and Spirits.

The Four Corners Musical Theatre Company presents Baby! the Musical from March 21st through March 30th at the Farmington Civic Center. Baby! takes us on the pregnancy journeys of three couples at very different stages of life. Tickets can be purchased online or at the Civic Center box office. By Jessica McCallum. This story is sponsored by SunRay Park and Casino and The Big Idea Makerspace at San Juan College.

San Juan Regional Medical Center has been honored with the Family Friendly Business Platinum Level Award from Family Friendly New Mexico, recognizing its exceptional support for employees and their families. San Juan County has secured a $30,000 grant to develop a comprehensive guide to gravel biking trails, capitalizing on the region's extensive network of dirt and gravel roads for recreational use. Despite a typical fire season outlook for San Juan County, officials urge caution and adherence to burning regulations as conditions can quickly change. The Aztec Museum and Pioneer Village invites families to celebrate its 60th anniversary with an Easter Egg Hunt on March 30th. By Hannah Robertson. This story is sponsored by Durango Motor Company and Distill Beer Wine and Spirits.

The Durango Arts Repertory Theatre presents Hand to God, an irreverent dark comedy written by Robert Askins and directed by Fort Lewis College Theatre Professor Michael McKelvey. Hand to God runs from March 15th through March 31st at the Durango Arts Center. This play carries a parental advisory for its adult language and content and is not suitable for all audiences. Tickets can be purchased online or at the Durango Arts Center box office. By Jessica McCallum. This story is sponsored by Kroegers Ace Hardware and Dunkin' Donuts.

The annual hazardous waste collection is on March 23rd invites San Juan County residents to dispose of household waste responsibly. Aztec Adventures’ spring line up includes thrilling races like the Roost the Ridges Enduro and the Galactic Grinder. Leadership San Juan is accepting applications for its 10-month program aimed at enhancing understanding of various sectors in the county, and small business owners can mark their calendars for a networking event on March 26th, hosted by the San Juan College Quality Center for Business. By Hannah Robertson. This story is sponsored by Traegers Bar and Northern Edge Casino.

Farmington Area Single Track (FAST) enters its sixth year with more programming than ever before. The organization offers both spring and fall classes for kids from ages two through 18, spanning skill levels from strider bikes to advanced. FAST’s first-ever bike swap will take place March 23rd at the Farmington Rec Center. Twenty percent of proceeds will go towards supporting FAST programming. By Connor Shreve. This story is sponsored by Durango Motor Company and Ace Hardware in Farmington.