Beyond the Headlines

Rotem Ishay is a multiple-time cycling National Champion. Now retired, he's passing down his years of professional experience to the next generation.

Tami Graham is the Executive Director at KSUT Public Radio in Ignacio, Colorado. KSUT is one of the radio stations joining the NPR lawsuit of the Trump administration over the President's order to freeze funding to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

Pete Tabor and Joe Washburn own Fun Center Cycles in Durango, Farmington and Cortez. Fun Center specializes in power sports of all kinds, from on & off road motorcycles, to snowmobiles, watercraft and more!

Under Charles Leslie’s leadership, world class artists like Terrance Blanchard and Christian McBride have graced the FLC Community Concert Hall stage in recent years. The concert hall opens its new season in June.

Al Harper owns the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. He considers himself and his family guardians of the train rather than owners. 

Amy & Michael Testa opened Advantage Physical Therapy & Wellness with the goal of giving patients better care. 21 years later they are succeeding in their mission with the help of Alpine Bank. 

Since 2011, Durango Outdoor Exchange has been the hub for second hand outdoor gear in Durango. Owners Jen & Chase Lacroix have prioritized giving back to local non-profit organizations that contribute to the vitality of the community.

The College Drive Cafe is a Durango institution. Aaron Seitz and Leah Evers purchased the restaurant in 2011. Soon they'll move the cafe to Historic Downtown Durango and change the name to College Cafe.

Like Alpine Bank, Four Corners Stoves & Spas is celebrating it's 20th anniversary in 2025. Owner Marc Mata discovered the value of working with Alpine Bank quickly.

From Angel Fire to Bentonville, Hogan Koesis brings decades of experience to Durango Mesa Park Project.

Ska Brewing celebrates 30th anniversary in 2025. 

New Mexico native and Durango-raised Ross Anderson is reflecting on his first year as a member of the Colorado Snowsports Hall of Fame. His recent honors include the Indigenous Athletic Hall of Fame and a New Mexico Hall of Fame Lifetime Achievement Award. 

Matt Martensen is trying to change the paradigm of internet monetization. His tech startup, User Cooperative, is a user-owned internet browser structured as a member-governed cooperative.  He says trillions of dollars and our well-being are on the line. 

The theater community is celebrating Nicholaus Sandner as Colorado’s top drama teacher. Sandner is a Durango local, a Fort Lewis College graduate and a drama teacher at Montezuma Cortez High School. Sandner was recently in Denver to accept his Colorado Theater Teacher of the Year award from the Colorado Thespians organization. Sandner says his students might be as happy as he is for the recognition. 

Clayton Lytle is the new Head Brewer at Animas Brewing Company. He’s worked at breweries across the country, including Stone. Over the course of his career at places like Spice Trade Brewery in Denver and Stone Brewery in San Diego, Lytle has focused on quality beer-making practices.

Jennaye Derge is the Founder of Bike Durango, a non-profit advocacy group for bike commuters and pedestrians. She’s also a journalist whose work can be found in The Durango Telegraph, Adventure Cycling Magazine and Cycling Weekly. Derge is hosting Bike Prom for a second consecutive year this fall at the Powerhouse Science Center. 

Lisa Dierson is the Founder and Director of the EQUUS Film & Arts Film Festival. She’s preparing to bring the equestrian-themed festival to the Four Corners region for the first time in the event's 12-year existence. The gathering will include a Mustang summit, focused on furthering the conversation on managing the local Jicarilla Mustang herd.  

Sponsored by Sky Ute Casino Resort and CommonSpirit.