Fraud - The Durango Herald

La Plata County Sheriff’s Office warns of IRS phone scam

Multiple reports of fraudulent calls in the region

DATE: Sep 5, 2018 | CATEGORY: Local News

3 La Plata County residents suspected of stealing nearly $140,000 from elderly man

Caregiver allegedly wrote checks in his name to daughter, son-in-law

DATE: Jul 13, 2018 | CATEGORY: Local News

Former Pagosa Springs man pleads guilty to tax fraud involving hot springs

Bill Whittington failed to report funds directed to him from business

DATE: May 4, 2018 | CATEGORY: Local News

Ute Mountain Ute fraud case grows to $1.1 million

Three more plead guilty; 11 people involved

DATE: May 2, 2018 | CATEGORY: Local News

Embezzlement, money laundering case rocks tiny Towaoc

Ute Mountain Ute employees plead guilty; more charges likely

DATE: Feb 8, 2018 | CATEGORY: Local News

Phone scams target La Plata County as tax season nears

Automated calls demand payment, threaten arrest

DATE: Jan 26, 2018 | CATEGORY: Local News

Winner sues Colorado lottery for millions over fixed jackpot

IOWA CITY, Iowa – A decade after Colorado engineer Amir Massihzadeh hit the lottery, two state agents visited him with stunning news: He was likely the only legitimate winner of a $4.8 milli...

DATE: Oct 5, 2017 | CATEGORY: Regional News

National Center for Disaster Fraud gives tips to avoid fraud

Watch out for fake donation drives

DATE: Aug 30, 2017 | CATEGORY: Local News

Cortez landlords pay settlement after fraud allegation

Couple accused of excessive rent in HUD program

DATE: Oct 9, 2016 | CATEGORY: Local News

Phone scam targets La Plata Electric Association customers

Resident gets duped out of $1,900

DATE: Aug 18, 2016 | CATEGORY: Local News

Southwest Health warns of possible fraudulent calls

Southwest Health System was notified that community members are receiving calls from a number from Southwest Memorial Hospital, (970) 564-2271, with a recording offering loans and financ...

DATE: Jul 2, 2016 | CATEGORY: Local News

IRS scammers return

Do not give information or money over phone

DATE: Sep 3, 2015 | CATEGORY: Local News

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Colorado history gets weird, wild, wacky at Fashion Do’s and Don’tsAnnual Snowdown event has become so popular, auditions are now required

Cowboys. Fancy ladies. Gold miners. Even-toed ungulates that some in Durango might consider more like rats.Where can you find a runway show that takes you on a whirlwind tour through the weird, wacky and wildly exaggerated 150 years of Colorado history? Only at Durango’s annual Fashion Do’s and Don’ts, held Wednesday, where models and audience members wore costumes celebrating Colorado’s sesquicentennial – the theme of this year’s two-week Snowdown celebration.Standout acts included the Ghosts of Durango, which featured four of Durango’s most famous ghosts: a Rochester hotel ghost in a Victorian get-up of a more “modern” variation; the Strater Hotel’s head of housekeeping, also head of more discreet services; a young girl haunting El Rancho’s bathroom; and Sheriff Bob Thompson, killed in a 1906 gunfight. according to emcee Suzan Lane. A Another act was the Secret Circus Society, featuring Rubi Starr, Jeni Gross, Tabatha Joy Bettin, Adrienne Young and Ethan Deffenbaugh dressed as a car and the roadside pests better known as deer. Group members said the inspiration for the costume came from lived experiences driving Durango roads. The two-person Cantine Couture act starred Leslie Ponce and Tyler Frakes in an homage to the plentiful variety of Mexican restaurants found in any Colorado town. Ponce, dressed in comically large Mexican pointy cowboy boots, ambled down the runway as if taking a stroll under the hot, dusty, high-altitude sun, while Frakes flitted about the stage in a bright yellow salsa dress. Ponce said this year’s costume had been tough to decide, but the final decision was inspired by TikTok videos of Mexican cowboys in pointy boots. This was the duo’s third year strutting down the runway. Why they keep coming back for more, Frakes said laughing, was, “for the fame, the glory and the attention.”

Fashion Do’s and Don’ts has been one of the most highly anticipated Snowdown events since its inception in the 1990s. It has more than doubled in size over the past several decades. Last year, there were a record number of models, and in order to keep the event at a manageable size, this year’s fashion show was the first one to require the acts to audition. But many of the models were unfazed by the change. “It was actually easy,” said Jodi Zuber, one part of the two-person duo that made up the 1950s Texas Invader Ski Couple. Her partner-in-costume, Danny Jaques, said they had been doing this for several years, and it’s good with everything going on in the world to “get some levity and let your hair down.” The performers were not the only ones in costume. Audience members also dressed in a wide variety of unique takes on what makes Colorado, Colorado. JonBenet Ramsey made a miraculous appearance, being played by an 82-year-old woman, as did Casa Bonita, an ensemble that included a taco, sopaipilla and gorilla in chains – to name some of the characters. By the end of the show, people were in high spirits, as usual. “It was just delightful,” said a first-time audience member. If blessed with the chance to get the much coveted tickets – he said he would jump on it. jbowman@durangoherald.com

Annual Snowdown event has become so popular, auditions are now required

Photos: Snowdown 2026 Fashion Do’s and Don’ts

Photos: Durango High School basketball teams lose to Montrose High School

Photos: Local girls high school wrestling at La Plata TriDurango girls wrestling went 2-0 to win Tri on Thursday night at Bayfield

Durango girls wrestling went 2-0 to win Tri on Thursday night at Bayfield

Photos: Fort Lewis College women’s and men’s basketball take on Westminster UniversityBoth Skyhawks teams were victorious on Saturday afternoon

Both Skyhawks teams were victorious on Saturday afternoon

Photos: An afternoon in 2004 with the late Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell as he works on Capitol HillDurango Herald Photo Editor Jerry McBride had the chance to spend an afternoon with the late Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell in 2004, photographing him during meetings and around the Capitol.

Durango Herald Photo Editor Jerry McBride had the chance to spend an afternoon with the late Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell in 2004, photographing him during meetings and around the Capitol.

Photos and video: ICE protests return to DurangoAbout a dozen protesters tried to block federal agents from leaving with a detainee on Thursday

About a dozen protesters tried to block federal agents from leaving with a detainee on Thursday

The Durango Herald’s year in photos 2025

Photos: Chapman Hill fires up the snow guns

La Plata County Sheriff’s Office warns of IRS phone scam

3 La Plata County residents suspected of stealing nearly $140,000 from elderly man

Former Pagosa Springs man pleads guilty to tax fraud involving hot springs

Ute Mountain Ute fraud case grows to $1.1 million

Embezzlement, money laundering case rocks tiny Towaoc

Phone scams target La Plata County as tax season nears

Winner sues Colorado lottery for millions over fixed jackpot

National Center for Disaster Fraud gives tips to avoid fraud

Cortez landlords pay settlement after fraud allegation

Phone scam targets La Plata Electric Association customers

Southwest Health warns of possible fraudulent calls

IRS scammers return

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