Voices of the Past: Lessons from the Rails (Part 1)

Voices of the Past: Lessons from the Rails (Part 1)

Author: The Local NEWS Network July 15, 2026 Duration: 3:24
Jeff Johnson's connection to Durango began with a single train ride in 1973, when a family vacation turned into a lifelong calling. That trip aboard the narrow gauge to Silverton set him on a path of decades-long devotion to Colorado railroad history, from the earliest push of the Denver and Rio Grande down through Walsenburg, Alamosa, and Chama into Southwest Colorado, to the mining boom in Silverton that the rails were built to chase. In this episode, Jeff traces the routes, the resources, ...

There's always more to the story than what fits in a bulletin or a column inch. Beyond the Headlines, from The Local NEWS Network, is a podcast that explores the human creativity and cultural texture behind the events shaping our area. We move past the initial facts to examine how local arts and community expression are intertwined with the news of the day. Each episode is a conversation that connects the dots between a city council decision and a mural project, or between a development plan and the fate of a historic theater. You'll hear from the artists, organizers, and everyday residents whose lives and work are directly impacted, providing context that transforms a simple headline into a richer narrative. This isn't just about what happened; it's about why it matters on a personal and cultural level, and what it reveals about the character of our community. Tune in for a thoughtful, grounded look at the forces and the faces that define where we live, finding the unexpected connections and artistic spirit that often go unreported in the daily rush.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 46

Beyond the Headlines
Podcast Episodes
Alpine20: Four Corners Stoves & Spas [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:44
Like Alpine Bank, Four Corners Stoves & Spas is celebrating it's 20th anniversary in 2025. Owner Marc Mata discovered the value of working with Alpine Bank quickly.
Beyond the Headlines: Hogan Koesis [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:55
From Angel Fire to Bentonville, Hogan Koesis brings decades of experience to Durango Mesa Park Project.
Beyond The Headlines: Ross Anderson [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:07
New Mexico native and Durango-raised Ross Anderson is reflecting on his first year as a member of the Colorado Snowsports Hall of Fame. His recent honors include the Indigenous Athletic Hall of Fame and a New Mexico Hall…
Beyond The Headlines: Matt Martensen [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:02
Matt Martensen is trying to change the paradigm of internet monetization. His tech startup, User Cooperative, is a user-owned internet browser structured as a member-governed cooperative. He says trillions of dollars and…
Beyond The Headlines: Gary Barnett [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:14
Gary Barnett led the Fort Lewis College Skyhawks football team to multiple wins over his two seasons as the Fort Lewis College Head Coach. After coaching the Skyhawks, Barnett led the Northwestern Wildcats and Colorado B…
Beyond the Headlines: Nicholaus Sandner [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 8:30
The theater community is celebrating Nicholaus Sandner as Colorado’s top drama teacher. Sandner is a Durango local, a Fort Lewis College graduate and a drama teacher at Montezuma Cortez High School. Sandner was recently…
Beyond The Headlines: Levi Kurlander [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:05
Levi Kurlander is leaving his position as Executive Director of Durango Devo after serving for nearly eight years in the role. Under his leadership, Devo’s enrollment numbers have grown by nearly three times. Still, he c…
Beyond The Headlines: Clayton Lytle [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:14
Clayton Lytle is the new Head Brewer at Animas Brewing Company. He’s worked at breweries across the country, including Stone. Over the course of his career at places like Spice Trade Brewery in Denver and Stone Brewery i…
Beyond The Headlines: Jennaye Derge [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:00
Jennaye Derge is the Founder of Bike Durango, a non-profit advocacy group for bike commuters and pedestrians. She’s also a journalist whose work can be found in The Durango Telegraph, Adventure Cycling Magazine and Cycli…