Durango Police

09/14/2026

⚡ UPDATE: POWER RESTORED

Power has been restored in Durango.

That doesn’t mean the safety reminders stop with the outage. Slow down, stay alert, watch for pedestrians and cyclists, and give yourself enough time to react.

Drive safe, Durango.

⚡ POWER OUTAGE | DOWNTOWN DURANGO

Lightning has caused a power outage affecting portions of Downtown Durango. Some traffic signals may also be impacted.

A quick reminder for drivers:
🔴 Flashing red traffic signal = STOP.
Come to a complete stop, check for traffic and pedestrians, and proceed only when it is safe. Treat the intersection the same way you would a stop sign 🛑.

Please slow down, stay alert, and give yourself a little extra time while power is being restored.

We’ll share additional information if needed.

09/14/2026

🌲 Your next outdoor adventure could use a little Ranger Tosh.

Ranger Tosh’s Outdoor Class series kicks off September 17! Join us for free classes covering wildlife encounters, wilderness skills, outdoor first aid, and more. Practical knowledge to help you feel more prepared when you head outside.

📍 Durango Recreation Center
🗓️ Thursdays, September 17 through November 12
⏰ 5:30–7 p.m.
💲 All classes are free.

Here’s the fall lineup:
• Sept. 17: Animal Encounters: What to Do!
• Sept. 24: Edible Plants and Wildlife
• Oct. 1: Wilderness Skills
• Oct. 8: Wilderness First Aid, CPR and Heart-Related Emergencies
• Oct. 15: Wilderness First Aid Continued: Trauma and Bleeding
• Oct. 22: Outdoor Etiquette
• Oct. 29: Backpacking Equipment and Skills
• Nov. 5: Colorado Bird Behavior and Identification
• Nov. 12: Wildlife Behavior and Tracking

Watch Ranger Tosh’s introduction, save the schedule, and share it with your adventure buddy. We’ll see you Thursday!

09/12/2026

Today is National Police Woman Day.

More than a century ago, women had to fight simply for the opportunity to wear the badge. Today, women serve throughout law enforcement as patrol officers, investigators, supervisors, instructors, leaders, and much more.

Here at the Durango Police Department, the women who wear our badge answer the same calls, carry the same responsibilities, and make the same commitment to this community every day.

Today, we're proud to recognize the women of DPD and the professionalism, leadership, experience, and dedication they bring to this department and to the community we serve.

To the women of DPD, thank you for showing up and doing the work every single day.

One Department. One Community. One Durango.

09/12/2026

25 years later, we still come together to remember.

On September 11, Durango Police Department members joined Upper Pine River Fire Protection, Durango Fire & Rescue, Durango Emergency Communications Center, Durango Professional Fire Fighters, La Plata County Sheriff's Office, Fort Lewis Mesa Fire Department, Los Pinos Fire District, Fort Lewis College Police Department, Fort Lewis College, and our community at the Sky Steps to honor the lives lost in 2001 and the courage of those who answered the call.

Some climbed. Some came to support. Together, we remembered the people who never made it home and the families whose lives changed forever.

We also received a thoughtful delivery from Ms. Addie Steele from Mountain Middle School, who dropped off handmade cards from her fourth-grade class for our officers. Their messages of “Thank you” and “Stay safe” meant a great deal. Thank you, Ms. Steele and students, for thinking of us.

Thank you for bringing us together; thank you, Congressman Jeff Hurd and Congressman Bruce Westerman, for joining us in remembrance; and thank you to everyone who joined us for the climb and remembrance.

We remember. We honor. We carry their memory forward.

09/07/2026

HAPPY LABOR DAY, DURANGO! 🇺🇸
Today, we recognize the hard work and contributions of workers who help keep our community moving every day.
In observance of Labor Day, the Durango Police Department lobby is closed today and will reopen tomorrow during regular business hours.
Our officers remain on duty 24/7. For emergencies, call 911. For non-emergency police assistance, call 970-385-2900.
Have a safe and enjoyable Labor Day!

09/03/2026

09/02/2026

🏍️ Durango is about to get a little louder.

The 33rd Four Corners Motorcycle Rally rolls into town Sept. 3–6, followed immediately by Labor Day. That means a lot more motorcycles, vehicles, and people sharing our roads this weekend.

So, instead of another generic safety lecture, here's the Rally Weekend Road Guide:
🏍️ Look twice for motorcycles. Check mirrors and blind spots before turning or changing lanes.
🚗 Give riders some room. Motorcycles are smaller, harder to see, and much less forgiving when something goes wrong.
↔️ Know the difference between lane filtering and lane splitting. Colorado allows motorcycles to filter through completely stopped traffic at no more than 15 mph when it can be done safely. Passing between moving vehicles is still illegal.
🪖 Riders, gear up. A helmet and protective gear give you a fighting chance when somebody else makes a mistake.
🍺 Plan the ride home before the first drink. If you're drinking, park the bike and find another way home.

Most importantly, bring a little patience with you this weekend.

More bikes. More traffic. Same roads. Let's share them.

09/02/2026

At tonight’s City Council meeting, Chief Brice Current announced that DPD will not renew its Flock Safety contract in 2027 and will transition its automated license plate reader program to Axon.

ALPR will remain an important investigative tool. What is changing is the provider, along with stronger limits on how long information may be accessed and retained.

DPD’s safeguards include:
• Same as before, every search must be connected to a specific case or investigation and serve an authorized, legitimate law-enforcement purpose.
• Effective immediately, routine access is limited to information collected during the preceding seven days.
• Searches involving information more than seven days old require reasonable suspicion, supervisor approval, and documentation.
• Routine ALPR information will not be retained for more than 21 days unless it must be lawfully preserved.

“The easy choice is to choose public safety or privacy. The harder, and more responsible, choice is to insist on both.”

Read the full statement:
https://www.durangoco.gov/m/NewsFlash/home/detail/4836

08/29/2026

Honoring Corporal Gale Emerson and Firefighter N.P. “Nick” Parks III

This week, we paid tribute to Durango Police Corporal Gale Emerson and Durango Firefighter N.P. "Nick" Parks III, who lost their lives while serving our community on August 24, 1974.

Early that morning, a fire was reported in the 800 block of Main Avenue in downtown Durango. As the fire spread, police officers and firefighters worked side by side to evacuate residents from nearby apartments and to protect the heart of our city.

During those efforts, the building exploded, and a brick wall collapsed, killing Corporal Emerson and Firefighter Parks. Investigators later determined the fire was arson. Both men were 24 years old.

Corporal Emerson had gone off duty at 3 a.m. but returned to duty to help with evacuations. Firefighter Parks, who had served with the Durango Fire Department since 1972, was also a Reserve Officer with the Durango Police Department and served in the Army Reserve. Both men answered the call without hesitation.

Their loss was deeply felt by their families, their departments, and the Durango community. Corporal Emerson left behind his wife, Sue, who was pregnant with their son, Jarod. Firefighter Parks left behind his wife, Loretta, who was pregnant with their daughter, Nicki Nicole.

Their courage, service, and sacrifice remain part of Durango’s story. Their names live on through their families, the Emerson-Parks Bridge, the memorial in the Durango Police Department lobby, and every first responder who continues to serve this community with bravery and dedication.

Please join us in honoring Corporal Gale Emerson and Firefighter Nick Parks.

May they never be forgotten.