THE INDEPENDENT

The Latest

Cookin' Stuff! Cookin' Stuff!

Tuesday, December 9, 2025 | Nels Christensen

Cookin' Stuff!

Food, friends and dorm life; how one student makes the most of kitchens on campus

Indigenous People's Day 2025 Indigenous People's Day 2025

Wednesday, November 12, 2025 | Written by Mya Simon, Photographed by M'iitra Pino

Indigenous People's Day 2025

October rain does little to keep FLC from celebrating Indigenous culture 


Fiesta en la Mesa
Fiesta en la Mesa

Wednesday, October 8, 2025
Steven Ben

Fiesta en la Mesa

Members of Ballet Folklorico de Durango, a cultural arts program that promotes Mexican culture, perform Sept. 19, 2025, during Fiesta en la Mesa...
Banging Heads in Buckley Park
Banging Heads in Buckley Park

Thursday, October 2, 2025
Mya Simon and Garrett Middleton

Banging Heads in Buckley Park

Locals share an inside look into Durango's metal scene. 

Safety First, Because Accidents Last
Safety First, Because Accidents Last

Tuesday, September 30, 2025
Nels Christensen

Safety First, Because Accidents Last

Fort Lewis police report safety statistics in recent years. 

Hotels: the new Dorms?
Hotels: the new Dorms?

Tuesday, September 30, 2025
Jimena Lopez

Hotels: the new Dorms?

Back to school! While some Fort Lewis students were making sure they had their backpacks ready to go, others were making sure they had somewhere...

All News

Crop Mob Raises Awareness and Encourages Local Food

Story by Sean Summers, Dan Riley, and Hayley Renstrom, Image by Julia Volzke

This fall, Durango locals will engage in an effort to reduce food sources for bears in town, increase local food production and raise money for the Fort Lewis College Environmental Center.

This fall, Durango locals will engage in an effort to reduce food sources for bears in town, increase local food production and raise money for the Fort Lewis College Environmental Center.   Purpose of Harvest   The Crop Mob volunteers will travel around Durango and harvest fruit from trees on properties in town, said Rachel Landis, the coordinator for the...

Water Legislation: Colorado's Water Politics Ripple

Story and Photo by Lauren Hammond

Both the federal government and Colorado’s state level government have been concerned with providing water for all citizens living in the Western arid and dry climate.

  Both the federal government and Colorado’s state level government have been concerned with providing water for all citizens living in the Western arid and dry climate.  News and media have been concerned for decades now, as you can see in numerous articles, such as Durango Herald’s “No doubt: It’s a bad drought Southwest Colorado counties declared...

The Publishing Process Explained

Story by Emma Vaughn and Tyler Jimenez, Graphic by Leah Payne



For many new writers, the task of finally publishing their material can seem daunting, however the process of becoming a published author is now more accessible than ever before.



Self-publishing is an option for more obscure writers or for those who want more control of their finished work. One of the high costs of publishing a book is the actual printing process

For many new writers, the task of finally publishing their material can seem daunting, however the process of becoming a published author is now more accessible than ever before. Self-publishing is an option for more obscure writers or for those who want more control of their finished work. One of the high costs of publishing a book is the actual printing process. Self-publishing is...

Fighting for a Flight

Story by Julia Volzke, Photo by Christian Bachrodt

Durango is known for its small town charm, but when it comes to getting a flight home for the holidays, there can be few and far between. Frontier Airlines is no longer stopping in the Durango- La Plata County Airport. Kate O’Malley, manager of corporate communications for Frontier Airlines, said that since May of 2008, Frontier Airlines flew out of Durango on a fairly regular basis....

The Takeaway from “You Can’t Take It With You”

Story by Taylor Ferraro, Graphic courtesy of the Theatre Department

The Fort Lewis College Theatre Department and cast members of the play “You Can’t Take It With You” have dedicated much time and talent in preparing for the October premier.

The play, written by George Kaufman and Moss Hart in 1936, provides a comedic twist to a classic love story, said Felicia Meyer, a visiting professor and the director of “You Can’t Take It With You.”

The Fort Lewis College Theatre Department and cast members of the play “You Can’t Take It With You” have dedicated much time and talent in preparing for the October premier. The play, written by George Kaufman and Moss Hart in 1936, provides a comedic twist to a classic love story, said Felicia Meyer, a visiting professor and the director of “You Can’t Take It...

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