Bear Smart - The Durango Herald

Bear in tree draws crowd on Main Avenue in Durango

Ursine climbs tree in front of Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory

DATE: Aug 10, 2017 | CATEGORY: Local News

Colorado residents urged to get bear smart

Most bear-human conflict arises from lack of education

DATE: Jul 19, 2017 | CATEGORY: Local News

Another SUV trashed by bear, this time in Junction Creek

Second notable vehicle break-in this month

DATE: May 22, 2017 | CATEGORY: Local News

Bear kills 6 chickens, raising questions about electric-fence ban

Some say Durango’s ban should be overturned

DATE: May 17, 2017 | CATEGORY: Local News

Bear claws its way through vehicle in Forest Lakes subdivision

Bruin apparently became trapped inside Honda Pilot

DATE: May 10, 2017 | CATEGORY: Local News

Get rid of that junk: Spring cleanup starts Monday in Durango

Crews will visit all of the city’s neighborhoods

DATE: Apr 7, 2017 | CATEGORY: Local News

Be prepared: Bears begin to emerge from hibernation around Durango

Black bears have started to emerge from hibernation during the past couple weeks, and Durango-area residents should be aware of these facts and helpful tips as they become active: ...

DATE: Apr 7, 2017 | CATEGORY: Local News

Violations of bear-safe trash-can ordinance drop in 2016

Durango levies two fines, La Plata County issues warnings

DATE: Jan 26, 2017 | CATEGORY: Local News

Food will lure some bears from winter dens

Snow, cold not a deterrent on trash day

DATE: Dec 7, 2016 | CATEGORY: Local News

Electric fencing shockingly effective deterring bears

Black bears can cause property damage – including the loss of chickens, beehives, small livestock and valued fruit trees – which can be both financially and emotionally draining. Electric fe...

DATE: Oct 31, 2016 | CATEGORY: Bear Smart

Helping bears by removing a fruity temptation

Fruit harvesting helps lower bear interactions

DATE: Sep 8, 2016 | CATEGORY: Local News

Bear euthanized after killing miniature horse

Fourth bear euthanized this summer in otherwise quiet season

DATE: Aug 31, 2016 | CATEGORY: Local News

Photos: Fashion at its bestSnowdown Fashion Do’s and Don’ts

Snowdown Fashion Do’s and Don’ts

Photos: Snowdown on SaturdaySnowdown’s Canine Fashion Show and Outlaw Josie Pete’s Golf

Snowdown’s Canine Fashion Show and Outlaw Josie Pete’s Golf

Photos: Snowdown Rock-em-Sock-em Snowbots pillow fights

Snowdown Light Parade can boast another successful yearLights flashed, fire trucks wailed and a foam cannon spewed suds

Bright lights, screaming fire trucks and children bundled up so thoroughly it seemed like an army of Michelin men had taken over downtown Durango. Yep. It’s the much anticipated Snowdown light parade, this year distinguished by a crowd of onlookers peppered with scrabble tiles, Clue characters and playing cards.

Locals flocked to Main Avenue on Friday to get a look (and maybe a Smartie or two) at the floats parading through town on various, creatively decorated vehicles. There were some obvious standouts at this year’s board game-themed parade. After a fire truck’s opening sirens came the Purgatory car, toting a brightly lit ski bum moonlighting as a DJ, likely giving the women of Durango some unpleasant déjà vu. Best dressed had to go to the Colorado Department of Transportation’s bulldozer, wearing the most believable Hungry Hungry Hippos costume seen yet. Biggest crowd pleaser? The dancers boogieing to Chappell Roan’s “HOT TO GO!” while the crowd sang and wiggled along. But what got the biggest rise out of the onlookers was the white plumes of motorcycle exhaust, courtesy of the Harley-Davidson club. The smell of burning octane was a convincing enough reason for people to briefly unclutch the rails and step away from their coveted positions at the front of the fence. Last but not least, another machine spewing its interior into the crowd: a foam cannon, the first one to make an appearance in the history of Snowdown. Much better received than exhaust, it extracted gleeful screams from kids and adults alike. jbowman@durangoherald.com