Farmington Museum is hosting the Smithsonian's "Lowrider Culture in the United States" traveling exhibit through July 25, 2026. The museum added its own touches: three lowrider cars, three motorcycles and artwork inside, plus a Park and Chill car show in the parking lot with live music and food vendors. Museum director Nathan Augustine says the event brought out a broad slice of the community and highlighted the strong connection between lowrider culture and Northern New Mexico's Hispanic heritage. The museum is targeting September or October 2027 for a follow-up event during Hispanic Heritage Month. If you're a lowrider or connected to the culture, reach out to curator Michelle Zupan at the Farmington Museum to get involved.

By Tanner Waite

Watch this story at LNN.news

This story is sponsored by Dickey's Barbecue Pit and Fitness World.

Southwest Colorado's mountains are celebrated today as a playground — but for Peggy Montaño, they have always meant something more. As a descendant of Hispano sheepherders with deep roots on both sides of her family in northern New Mexico and the Ignacio area, Peggy grew up understanding these peaks as a place of labor, sacrifice, and identity. In this podcast episode, she reflects on why she felt called to write and share this story — and why she believes understanding the full history of a place matters not just for those living here now, but for the generations still to come. It is a thoughtful, personal meditation on what it means to belong to a landscape, and to honor the people who shaped it long before recreation ever entered the picture.

The Power of Place Magazine is a special initiative of the Colorado 150 Southwest organizing committee, featuring 20 articles by professional historians and local writers exploring Southwest Colorado's rich and complex heritage.

By Peggy Montaño

This story is sponsored by Alpine Bank, Sky Ute Casino and Strater Hotel

Watch the full Voices of the Past: Southwest Colorado series on our YouTube.

Durango has a busy Memorial weekend ahead with the 23rd Annual Downtown Clean Day on Friday, May 22, the Iron Horse Bicycle Classic running Saturday and Sunday, and the Narrow Gauge 10 Mile Run on Sunday, May 24.

By Sadie Smith

Watch this story at LNN.news

This story is sponsored by Serious Texas Bar-B-Q and Durango Gelato, Coffee & Tea.

Skyring Water is a Cold War thriller bestselling author Louis L'Amour wrote around 1960 but never published. After L'Amour's death in 1988, the manuscript sat unfinished for decades until his son Beau L'Amour completed it, describing the book as a partnership across time. Skyring Water releases June 2, 2026.

By Sadie Smith

Watch this story at LNN.news

This story is sponsored by Sky Ute Casino Resort and Kroegers Ace Hardware.

Music in the Mountains is celebrating its 40th anniversary season this summer, running July 9th through August 2nd across the Four Corners region. What started in 1987 with just 11 musicians has grown into a world-class orchestra featuring performers from around the globe. This year's festival features free community concerts from Durango to Bayfield, Ignacio, Pagosa, and Mancos, along with full orchestra performances, family concerts, and chamber music. Tickets are on sale now at musicinthemountains.com.

By Sadie Smith.

Watch this story at lnn.news.

This story is sponsored by FASTSIGNS Durango and Happy Pappy's Pizza & Wings.

Today we're spotlighting one of Farmington's finest — Loren Healy, a born-and-raised San Juan County native who turned a love of desert rock crawling into a full-blown professional motorsports career. Loren has won the King of the Hammers multiple times, captured five consecutive Baja 1000 victories in the stock class, and now runs RTR Off-Road Shop right here in Farmington. He's currently building a trophy truck with dreams of an overall Baja 1000 win — something he's called a boyhood dream. If you want to follow the build and catch live race streams with in-cab cameras, find him on Facebook and Instagram under Loren Healy. And keep an eye out — an open house at the new RTR Off-Road Shop is coming up, and the whole community is invited.

By Tanner Waite

Watch this story at LNN.news

This story is sponsored by Sunray Park & Casino and Four Corners Regional Airport.

The Garden Guys are back with practical advice for Southwest Colorado gardeners. Tom Bartels and Darrin Parmenter break down planting timing, drought prep, compost versus fertilizer, and what to look for when buying transplants this spring.

By Sadie Smith

Watch this story at durangolocal.news.

This story is sponsored by Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers and the Payroll Department.

iAM Music celebrated its 11th annual Music Fest in downtown Durango from April 30th through May 3rd, bringing 25+ artists across eight stages throughout the city. Founded in 2015, every ticket sold supports iAM Music's mission of funding scholarships, performance opportunities, and music education for youth across the Four Corners region.

By Sadie Smith

Watch this story at durangolocal.news.

This story is sponsored by the FLC Center for Innovation and Durango Gelato, Coffee & Tea.