Podcast
Common Air
Hosted by Louise Snodgrass · EN
Common Air is a weekly public affairs program hosted by Louise Snodgrass on KDUR Durango 91.9 & 93.9FM. Each week, the show brings local voices of Durango and Southwest Colorado to the airwaves to highlight the stories and work of our community.
You can listen LIVE every Tuesday at 9am by visiting KDUR.org — a community and college radio station located at Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colorado.
10episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
The Animas River Runs Through It
2w ago00:29:16Tap to summarizeFlowing from the Colorado's San Juan Mountains to the San Juan River in New Mexico, the Animas River has shaped people, wildlife, and our landscape from time immemorial. On this episode of Common Air, Louise Snodgrass is joined by Willis Wood, Boardmember of Animas Rivers Days and avid kayaker to discuss today's community surrounding the Animas River and the impacts this river has on our lives. Since 1985 the Animas River has been celebrated at Animas River Days in Durango, CO. This year Animas River Days takes place on May 30 & May 31, 2026 with professional river sport competitions and community events. Willis shares new exciting events to encourage greater participation from everyday river lovers, including a Hot Dog Relay, Live Music, and an all-day Slam "Raft" Ball event. He also discusses the local river scene and how any one should get on the river in their own way.Learn more about Animas River Days at https://www.animasriverdays.com/
Transcribe →The Stories Rocks Tell Us
3w ago00:30:28Tap to summarizeThe ground beneath us and the mountains that surround us tell a story that is billions of years old. On this episode, Louise Snodgrass is joined by Jonathan Lovekin, Senior Engineering Geologist, and Lesley Sebol, Hydrogeologist with the Colorado Geological Survey. Together, they go deep in the science of rocks, landscapes, soil, and groundwater -- and what those things reveal about Southwest Colorado.Tune in to learn about the forces that shaped our region, what makes La Plata County geology so unique, and the very real ways geology impacts everyday life. Lesley shares how geology influences groundwater and water resources, while Jonathan explores the challenges and risks of building within a dynamic mountain landscape.Learn more about their work and the Colorado Geological Society by visiting their website: https://coloradogeologicalsurvey.org/
Transcribe →Durango in Space
4w ago00:31:05Tap to summarizeSeeing a piece of Durango in space is closer than you think! Juleah Kaliski, Marketing Specialist, and Jack Castello, Manufacturing Engineer with Agile Space Industries join us for this episode of Common Air. Agile Space Industries is a Durango, Colorado-based aerospace company specializing in the in-house design, 3D printing, and hot-fire testing of hypergolic rocket engines and thrusters for satellites and lunar landers. Tune in to learn the history of Agile Space, their recent expansion, and their current projects! Juleah and Jack discuss the nitty gritty details of how their technology works and what makes it different. Lastly, this episode highlights the growth of this mighty Durango company. In the last year the team has grown from 50 to 154 members on the team. Their work is powered by engineers, machinists, supply chain specalists, assembly techs and more! If you have dreams of impacting space missions, or just want to learn more visit https://agilespaceindustries.com/
Transcribe →Growing More Than Food
May 500:28:32Tap to summarizeGetting in the dirt and tending a garden nourishes our lives in more ways than one. Marissa Hunt, Co-executive director, and Brooke Frazer, Garden Manager join us on this episode of Common Air to dive into the story, purpose, and impact of Manna's unique garden space. As one of the few food access facilities in the country with an onsite garden, Manna uses the garden to grow over 2,000lbs of fresh produce that support its food market, prepared meals, and culinary programming.The conversation explores how the garden grows beyond it's produce purpose and serves as a place for connection, learning, and opportunity. Tune in to learn more about their upcoming Plant Sale and more ways to get involved in their work. Visit www.mannasoupkitchen.org/garden
Transcribe →Keeping Colorado Dark
Apr 2800:29:00Tap to summarizeThe night sky holds a long, shared history of people looking up and finding inspiration in the stars and planets. Protecting that experience takes work and impacts us more than you might expect. On this episode of Common Air, Louise Snodgrass is joined by Weylin Ryan, Board Member of DarkSky Colorado and Town Manager of Ignacio, Colorado. DarkSky Colorado is working across the state to reduce light pollution, protect night skies, and help communities understand why keeping it dark matters.Colorado is home to 16 certified Dark Sky places, with many more working toward designation. Weylin shares what that certification process looks like and why it matters. He shares the impacts of light pollution on human health, wildlife, safety, and sustainability.Tune in to learn how you can get involved with the Dark Sky Colorado as well as how reduce light pollution as an individual. Visit https://darkskycolorado.org
Transcribe →Who Keeps the Water Running?
Apr 2100:29:58Tap to summarizeYou turn on the tap, and the water flows. But who and what gets it there? Carolyn Cummins of the Four Corners Water Center and Laura Rieck of the City of Durango about the essential role water operators play in keeping communities safe and functioning—and the growing gap in this workforce as many experienced operators near retirement and fewer people enter the field. The conversation explores the regional collaboration behind a new hands-on training program, Fundamental of Water Operators. Carolyn and Laura share how this regional collaboration is reating real pathways through mentorship, field-based learning, and industry connection. Tune in to learn more about the flow of water to their homes and how investing in this workforce supports the long-term health and resilience of our communities.Enroll today: https://gowork.fortlewis.edu/browse/run/courses/fundamentals-of-water-operations-may-2026
Transcribe →Connecting with the Birds
Apr 1400:30:31Tap to summarizeSpring is for the birds! On this episode of Common Air, Louise Snodgrass speaks with Lisa Wilk and Stephen Tarnowski of the Durango Bird Club. The Durango Bird Club brings together people of all experience levels to encourage appreciation, foster enjoyment, and share knowledge of birds and their habitats through regular meetups, field trips, workshops, and seasonal bird counts. Nearly 96 million Americans identify as birders, according to the 2022 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation. Lisa and Stephen share how the club has become a space for folks to connect with the natural world and to feel a sense of community with fellow birders. They also share the all important role the Durango Bird club plays in citizen science efforts that help track and better understand bird populations.Tune in to this episode to learn what makes La Plata County such a special place to observe birds and gain some practical tips on getting started. Check out Durango Bird Club on their website: https://durangobirdclub.wixsite.com/mysite
Transcribe →Earth Day is Every Day
Apr 700:29:40Tap to summarizeOn this episode of Common Air, Louise Snodgrass speaks with Heather Erb of Earth Day Durango about what’s happening across the community in celebration of Earth Day. With events building throughout the month and a full day of activities at Buckley Park on Saturday, April 18, Earth Day Durango brings together local organizations, families, students, and residents around the shared theme of “Acting for the Earth.”The conversation highlights not only the event itself, but the broader sustainability work happening across Durango and La Plata County. Heather shares how environmental action shows up in everyday life, how the community continues to step up across generations, and why sustainability is deeply connected to the region’s future. Learn more and get involved at EarthDayDurango.com.
Transcribe →The Value of Radio
Mar 3100:28:53Tap to summarizeAn informed community is a healthy community - and radio plays a big role in that.On this episode of Common Air, we’re turning the mic back on the station that hosts the show: KDUR Durango. Louise Snodgrass speaks with Jon Lynch, Program Director at KDUR, about his journey into radio and what has kept him in it over the years. The conversation explores what makes KDUR unique in the media landscape -- most notably it's diverse DJs and wide-range of music programming.Jon shares how KDUR has remained a constant in Durango since 1975, offering regional/local news, public affairs programming, and a space for diverse music that reflects the character of La Plata County. Tune in to learn how KDUR continues to connect people, amplify voices, and serve as a vital part of the local media landscape. Support KDUR Durango by becoming a member! Visit KDUR.org
Transcribe →Opportunities in Rural Healthcare
Mar 3100:30:05Tap to summarizeChance Parker, Public Health Student at Fort Lewis College and Annie Lawson, Program Navigator for the Healthcare Workforce Pipeline join us for this week's episode of Common Air. Chance and Annie highlight the growing need for behavioral health professionals in Southwest Colorado. Together, they explore how workforce gaps impact community wellbeing and what it takes to build a stronger, more accessible healthcare system in a rural region.The conversation highlights pathways into behavioral health careers for students and working adults, the importance of growing local talent, and the opportunities available to those interested in entering the field. Learn more about behavorial health careers at an upcoming panel at Fort Lewis College on April 2nd in the Student Union at 4:00pm.
Transcribe →