Dancing with the Durango Stars is an annual fundraiser for the Durango Derailers’ Patient Assistance Fund. This couple’s dance competition is choreographed by Leslie Carlson and is one of Durango Derailers biggest fundraising events and a whole lot of fun! In the fund's 17-year history, they have fund-raised over $1 MILLION in aggregate support. This fund is available to children and families living in SW Colorado to help with travel expenses when they need to go to a pediatric hospital or pediatric specialist for a higher level of pediatric specialty care (outpatient or inpatient). The fund provides gas cards and hotel assistance. By Kristi Dean and Andy Wingerd. This story is sponsored by Sky Ute Casino and Kroeger’s Ace Hardware

This past September, Pueblo Community College Southwest moved back into the Commons Building in Durango from its Durango High School location. The move will provide more opportunities for community involvement between the school and Durango, as well as provide opportunities to expand existing programs and add new programs. At a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the move, PCC staff and administrators expressed excitement about the move and the opportunities now available to the school and its students. By Hannah Robertson. This story is sponsored by Happy Pappy’s Pizza & Wings and Tafoya Barrett & Associates

San Juan County has announced the return of Dumpster Days with a grant extended the day to two days this year to help more folks clean out in preparation for the winter. This Fire Prevention Month, the county is urging folks to “Cook with Caution” to better prevent cooking-related fires, and help your city earn the Mr. Potato Head Trophy with the ECHO Food Drive this month and next. By Hannah Robertson. This story is sponsored by Three Rivers Brewery and Northern Edge Casino

Merely Players brings Shakespeare to life for modern audiences and contributes to a thriving local theatre scene in Durango. Talented actors, artists, and technicians in the local community come together to create collective art that celebrates imagination, innovation, and creativity. Merely Players has a diverse and interesting season ahead in 2023-24, kicking off with a Shakespearean classic, the Bard’s final play, The Tempest, showing from October 6th - October 15th at the Merely Underground in the Durango Tech Center. By Jessica McCallum. This story is sponsored by Tafoya, Barrett & Associates and Kroegers Ace Hardware

On the first day of autumn, local families had the chance to fall into history at the Farmington Museum’s annul “Real Night at the Museum” spectacular, where old-time Bluegrass music played while biscuits baked beneath live coals, and local apples were pressed by children for a taste of juice at its best. Kids also had a blast building a log cabin and washing clothes on an old-fashioned washboard. Farmington became very populated in the 1860’s and 1870’s. It’s a quaint time period of the town before all the oil booms. By Donna K. Hewett. This story is sponsored by Home2Suites and The Big Idea Makerspace at San Juan College