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San Juan County Commissioner Pete McKay examines the Gold King 7 portal above Gladstone on Monday Aug 10 2015 photo by Farmington Times

San Juan County Commissioner Pete McKay examines the Gold King 7 portal above Gladstone on Monday Aug 10 2015 photo by Farmington Times

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The Gold King Mine Spill happened ten years ago

Deanne Gallegos
Thursday, August 7, 2025
On August 5th, 2015, the EPA caused an environmental disaster that sent 3 million gallons of orange water down Cement Creek, through the heart of Silverton and into the confluence of the Animas River from the Gold King Mine up in Gladstone.
Photo by Will Meyerriecks Silverton Standard & the Miner The plume of mine waste from the Gold King flows through Silverton on Wednesday afternoon Aug5.

Photo by Will Meyerriecks Silverton Standard & the Miner The plume of mine waste from the Gold King flows through Silverton on Wednesday afternoon Aug5.

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EPA: ‘We recognize we have lessons to learn’ (first ran 8_13_15)

Mark Esper
Thursday, August 7, 2025
The estimated 3 million gallons of mine waste that burst from an earthen bank at the Gold King and swept into Cement Creek on Wednesday morning, Aug. 5, tainted the Animas River and triggered disaster declarations throughout the region.
Welcome to the Silverton Standard team as Editor Katey Fetch’s new assistants. Left to right Saoirse Dove Fetchenhier-McChesney, Rudie Jean Fetchenhier-McChesney.

Welcome to the Silverton Standard team as Editor Katey Fetch’s new assistants. Left to right Saoirse Dove Fetchenhier-McChesney, Rudie Jean Fetchenhier-McChesney.

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Welcome to the Silverton Standard

News Staff
Thursday, August 7, 2025
Welcome to the Silverton Standard
San Juan County Receives Over $10,000 in Grants to Modernize Records and Enhance Services

San Juan County Receives Over $10,000 in Grants to Modernize Records and Enhance Services

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San Juan County Receives Over $10,000 in Grants to Modernize Records and Enhance Services

News Staff
Thursday, July 31, 2025
Silverton, CO — The San Juan County Clerk & Recorder’s Offi ce has been awarded two competitive grants from the Colorado Electronic Recording Technology Board (ERTB) totaling $10,768, bringing powerful new tools to support public access, preservation, and transparency in Colorado’s least populated...

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Mountain Happenings

News Staff
Thursday, July 31, 2025
Ongoing • Move Yoga Schedule Tuesdays and Thursdays at 5:30 pm Gym Hours: 5:30 am- 9pm, 7 days a week (closed during yoga class).Please reach out to move. silverton@gmail.com. if you would like to join the Silverton’s community gym space.
Elkhorn Fire in North La Plata County started by a structure fire during the evening of Saturday, July 26. Photo credit Scott Perez

Elkhorn Fire in North La Plata County started by a structure fire during the evening of Saturday, July 26. Photo credit Scott Perez

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Luxury Home Under Construction Cause of the Elkhorn fire

Deanne Gallegos
Thursday, July 31, 2025
This past Saturday, July 26th at 5:24 pm, a luxury multi-million-dollar home under construction thirteen miles north of Durango in La Plata County, just east of Glacier Club and north of Missionary Ridge, started on fire, causing the Elkhorn Fire that as of Tuesday is 321 acres and 0% contained.
Osprey eating its lunch, September 2022. Photo credit Wesley Berg

Osprey eating its lunch, September 2022. Photo credit Wesley Berg

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August Creature Feature: Osprey

Wesley Berg, Wildlife Photographer
Thursday, July 31, 2025
Ospreys, also known as a fish hawks, are skillful anglers. A mating pair of osprey can often be found high in the San Juans near Molas Lake. Several high-altitude lakes in the area are stocked with rainbow and cutthroat trout, providing excellent fishing opportunities.

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Library Corner

News Staff
Thursday, July 31, 2025
By Misti Anderson, Library Director August is here, and the Silverton Public Library continues to offer more than just books!
Barbara McLachlin attending the Great Western Rocky Mountain Brass Band Concert at the Silverton School gym, in August 2023. Photo credit DeAnne Gallegos

Barbara McLachlin attending the Great Western Rocky Mountain Brass Band Concert at the Silverton School gym, in August 2023. Photo credit DeAnne Gallegos

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Barbara Hall McLachlin Appointed CDOT Transportation Commissioner

Deanne Gallegos
Thursday, July 31, 2025
Barbara Hall McLachlin, from Durango, who served as our former Colorado State House Representative from 2017 to 2024, has been appointed by Governor Jared Polis to be the local Colorado Department of Transportation District 8 Transportation Commissioner for the next four years.

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In Brief

News Staff
Thursday, July 31, 2025
42nd Annual Great Western Rocky Mountain Brass Band Festival A free concert held at the Silverton Public School Gymnasium (12th & Reese Street) in Silverton, Colorado. Authentic arrangements played in an astounding manner with Dr. Brett Keating, conducting.
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