Reform of the hardrock mining industry that is 137 years overdue beginning to work its way through Washington, D.C.
The addition of a much-needed City of Durango trash can at the Horse Gulch trailhead
The return of a strong El Niño to Pacific Ocean waters offering prospects of a big 2009-10 winter in Southwest Colorado

Four-wheelers steadily destroying a large section of the Cascade Creek trail with no apparent response from the U.S. Forest Service
La Plata County Commissioners and Gov. Bill Ritter opting to not support legislation that would regulate the chemicals used in oil and gas drilling
The War in Afghanistan spiraling out of control with the U.S. troop death toll hitting its highest point in eight years