The Tourism Effect - The Durango Herald

What is a Destination Marketing Organization?

Since I arrived here in February, from the “Great North” ... Grand Junction, aside from being warmly welcomed, I have consistently been asked, “What does a destination marketing organization...

DATE: Apr 6, 2019 | CATEGORY: The Tourism Effect

Positive change is on the horizon

Please join Visit Durango in welcoming tourism industry executive Barbara Bowman as interim executive director. Barb brings a wealth of industry expertise to Durango from 27 years leading to...

DATE: Feb 9, 2019 | CATEGORY: The Tourism Effect

Jan. 29 is National Plan for Vacation Day

When was the last time you took a vacation? If you can’t recall, you’re likely part of the majority of Americans (52 percent) who forfeit well-deserved time off from work each year. ...

DATE: Jan 16, 2019 | CATEGORY: The Tourism Effect

Diversion of lodgers tax makes no cents

This past week, I appeared before the City Council in a study session and expressed my concerns that the city was diverting lodgers tax revenue away from tourism marketing. I indicated that...

DATE: Dec 1, 2018 | CATEGORY: The Tourism Effect

You live in the Mountain Biking Capital of the World

Two weeks ago, Durango gained statewide and national attention when the Colorado High School Cycling League’s state championships came to Durango. Our local cycling teams – Durango and Anima...

DATE: Nov 10, 2018 | CATEGORY: The Tourism Effect

Durango offers a ‘real’ Colorado experience

Where do our visitors come from? Why do they come here and how much do they spend? Each year, Visit DURANGO, aka The Durango Area Tourism Office, goes through a lengthy process t...

DATE: Oct 20, 2018 | CATEGORY: The Tourism Effect

Lodgers tax should be used to promote Durango

Tourism is an industry based upon travel and fun, and is an integral part of our economy, both here in Durango and La Plata County, as well as our state and nation. In 2017, the travel indus...

DATE: Sep 29, 2018 | CATEGORY: The Tourism Effect

You can’t put just one brand on Durango

In my last column, I asked readers what Durango is best known for. As is typical of the independent, individual spirit of Durango folks and visitors alike, I received a variety of responses....

DATE: Sep 8, 2018 | CATEGORY: The Tourism Effect

What is Durango best known for?

What is Durango best known for? More specifically, why do prospective visitors choose Durango over other places they might want to visit? These and questions like these drive destination ma...

DATE: Aug 18, 2018 | CATEGORY: The Tourism Effect

Fire didn’t destroy economy nor dampen spirit

Last week, I reported to the Durango City Council on the “State of Tourism” in light of the 416 Fire. Here is a summary of that report: Tourism comprises 25 percent of our economy...

DATE: Jul 28, 2018 | CATEGORY: The Tourism Effect

Durango must maintain balance to lure tourists

In June, my wife (also named June) and I toured Machu Picchu, the mysterious Incan temple built high in the Andes in Peru. Being one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations, I thoug...

DATE: Jul 7, 2018 | CATEGORY: The Tourism Effect

We are not victims of this fire

The glowing, orange-red sun peeked out at me this morning as it rose above the ridge on the east side of the valley across from my house. It reminded me of summer trips my family...

DATE: Jun 16, 2018 | CATEGORY: The Tourism Effect

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Photos: Wrestling at Durango High SchoolDurango High School boys wrestling beat Bayfield High School Tuesday night

Durango High School boys wrestling beat Bayfield High School Tuesday night

Photos: Where there's smoke there's firefightersDurango firefighters take advantage of the old River City Hall building for training

Durango firefighters take advantage of the old River City Hall building for training

Photos: Durango plays Montezuma-Cortez in boys, girls high school basketballDurango girls and boys basketball teams defeat Montezuma-Cortez at DHS

Durango girls and boys basketball teams defeat Montezuma-Cortez at DHS

Year in photos: A look back at Southwest Colorado in 2024Each year brings some of the new and some of the old – breaking news and cherished traditions. It is the people, their emotions, different cultures and varied forms of entertainment that make for impactful images. Add to that Southwest Colorado’s gorgeous scenery, abundant wildlife and range of weather events, and you have the makings for stunning photos. We hope you enjoy Photo Editor Jerry McBride’s photos from 2024.

Each year brings some of the new and some of the old – breaking news and cherished traditions. It is...

Montezuma County DA Christian Hatfield charged with DWICharges come 16 weeks after crash near Farmington, New MexicoMontezuma County District Attorney Christian Hatfield was charged Friday with driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs 16 weeks after he crashed his SUV on U.S. Highway 64 outside Bloomfield.The San Juan County Sheriff’s Office charged Hatfield, 59, with petty misdemeanor charge of DWI and an open container in connection to the Aug. 30 single-car crash.The charges come after results from a blood test by the New Mexico Department of Health Scientific Laboratory showed alcohol and a drug in Hatfield’s body after the crash.

“The results show that at the time of the blood draw, which was approximately eleven hours after the time of the crash due to medical issues, were 0.05 g/100 ml of Ethanol and 0.04 mg/L of Zolpidem (Ambien). Both Ethanol and Ambien are Central Nervous System Depressants,” the law enforcement report states.Two vials of blood were taken from Hatfield at 1:33 p.m. Aug. 30, which was more than 12 hours after the crash occurred about 1 a.m. Those vials were received by the New Mexico Department of Health Scientific Laboratory at 10:26 a.m. Oct. 11, which was six weeks after the crash, according to records from the lab.An investigation into the blood warrant by The Journal newspaper in Cortez, Colorado, showed that the blood sample sat in a refrigerator at the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office until Oct. 3, because paperwork to send it to the state laboratory was not processed.“I think it’s a non-prosecutable case because of all the errors made by law enforcement,” said Arlon Stoker, a high-profile defense attorney secured by Hatfield to fight the charges.

The charges made by the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office are “based on the observations made by law enforcement officers on scene and the presence of intoxicating drugs and liquors in Christian's blood,” according to the report that was given to The Journal by the New Mexico Foundation for Open Government.Amanda Lavin, legal director for NMFOG, assisted The Journal in accessing public records from the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office in Aztec. The records had been redacted, leaving out Hatfield’s name and information about the blood warrant filed in San Juan County Magistrate Court.Public records requests by The Journal and the Tri-City Record went unresolved for 14 weeks.The Journal requested body camera footage and lapel camera video on Sept. 3.The Tri-City Record requested any and all warrants, investigative reports and laboratory reports as well as photos, lapel cam videos and dash cam videos on Oct. 23.On Dec. 9, Lavin made the same requests.

The Journal received access to photos and videos in an email on Dec. 19, and Lavin, after making a legal argument for unredacted information, received the full report Dec. 19 and was advised that charges would be forthcoming.The report detailing the crash states that Hatfield was found “unresponsive and barely able to stand” about 1 a.m. Aug. 30 near the intersection of U.S. Highway 64 and County Road 5099.Investigators and medics noted a “pungent” odor of alcohol coming from Hatfield, and investigators found “an open 12-ounce can of Mexican Lager with residual liquid inside,” an “empty wine glass,” and a “bottle of Ambien prescribed to Christian,” according to the report.The affidavit for search warrant for blood submitted by sheriff’s deputy Avery Killifer states he had an “opinion that the defendant was driving under the influence of intoxicating liquor or a controlled substance.” The deputy “placed the defendant under arrest” at the time, but Hatfield was taken to San Juan Regional Medical Center, because of “extensive injuries.”A summons was issued for Hatfield, and an arraignment is set for 8:30 a.m. Jan. 8 in Aztec Magistrate Court.

Charges come 16 weeks after crash near Farmington, New Mexico

Photos: Wreaths Across America honors fallen veteransDurango residents on Saturday honor those who served their country

Durango residents on Saturday honor those who served their country

Photos: Skyhawks men’s and women’s basketball Fort Lewis College men’s and women’s basketball lost to Regis on Saturday

Fort Lewis College men’s and women’s basketball lost to Regis on Saturday

Demons defeat Bobcats 62-47 on Friday at DHS

Photos: Durango, Farmington girls basketball face off at DHSFarmington came away with a 49-45 win

Farmington came away with a 49-45 win

Photos: Running up an appetite on Thanksgiving

What is a Destination Marketing Organization?

Positive change is on the horizon

Jan. 29 is National Plan for Vacation Day

Diversion of lodgers tax makes no cents

You live in the Mountain Biking Capital of the World

Durango offers a ‘real’ Colorado experience

Lodgers tax should be used to promote Durango

You can’t put just one brand on Durango

What is Durango best known for?

Fire didn’t destroy economy nor dampen spirit

Durango must maintain balance to lure tourists

We are not victims of this fire

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