Common Air

Louise Snodgrass
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  • SOCIETY & CULTURE
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

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.

  1. 1D AGO

    Pathways to Homeownership in Southwest Colorado

    Pam Moore, Executive Director of HomesFund, joins Louise Snodgrass on this episode of Common Air to talk candidly about housing affordability in Southwest Colorado. Louise and Pam discuss the gap between local incomes and home prices, offering clear context around Area Median Income, homeownership, and rental costs across the region. Pam shares how HomesFund helps bridge that gap through homebuyer education classes, individualized housing counseling, down payment assistance, and tools that support long-term affordability. Learn more about HomesFund and their programs that support home buyers on their website: https://homesfund.org/

    29 min

  2. FEB 4

    Investing in Adult Learners

    On this episode of Common Air, Louise Snodgrass sits down with Susan Hakanson, Executive Director of the Durango Adult Education Center, to talk about why adult education matters for our entire community. They discuss how DAEC supports adults through GED and English language programs that open doors to better jobs, continued education, and greater stability. The conversation also focuses on DAEC’s diverse offers and the growing need for volunteers. Susan shares how community support helps remove barriers to learning and why investing in adult learners strengthens both our local economy and the wellbeing of our region. Learn more and support the Durango/Cortez Adult Education Center on their website: Durangoadulted.org

    29 min

  3. JAN 27

    Celebrate Black History Month

    On this episode of Common Air, Louise Snodgrass is joined by Elijah Smith, President of Fort Lewis College the Black Student Union, along with Malia Mischke, Vice President of the Black Student Union. They discuss how the Black Student Union and Black Student Resource Center shape student culture, foster leadership, and build a stronger sense of belonging on campus. The conversation also reflects on Black History Month and its ongoing relevance, highlighting how student-led efforts at Fort Lewis College extend beyond campus and into the broader community. Elijah and Malia share how creating space for Black voices, education, and connection strengthens both the student experience and community at large.

    28 min

  4. JAN 20

    Southwest Colorado Rocks

    In this episode of Common Air, Louise Snodgrass sits down with Jeff Dupont, CEO of the Durango Chamber of Commerce, to talk about how the Chamber supports local businesses through education, advocacy, and meaningful connection across the region. The conversation reflects on what it looks like when businesses, nonprofits, and community leaders show up for one another, and why collaboration matters so deeply in places like Durango, Bayfield, and Ignacio. Along the way, Jeff shares how the annual event, Southwest Colorado Rocks, celebrates these values and invites the community to take part in recognizing the people and organizations helping Southwest Colorado thrive. Visit the Durango Chamber of Commerce website: https://www.durangobusiness.org/

    29 min

  5. JAN 6

    Harnessing Entrepreneurship for Good

    "There must be something in the water." Southwest Colorado is a hot bed of entrepreneurship. Why? In this episode of Common Air, Heather Otter of Southwest Colorado Accelerator Program for Entrepreneurs (SCAPE) and Turner Wyatt of SmallCapital join the conversation to offer a look into the entrepreneurial spirit of the region and the role small, local businesses play in supporting community wellbeing. The conversation explores the landscape of entrepreneurship in Southwest Colorado and what makes it distinct, including strong partnerships, passion, and a desire to contribute to the greater good. Heather and Turner also reflect on bigger ideas like employee ownership and social investment to build capacity for small business. Tune in to learn how these approaches can help address current wealth inequalities while strengthening local economies. Learn more about SCAPE and their work supporting start-up businesses: www.goscape.org Learn more about SmallCapital and employee ownership models: smallcapital.org

    29 min

  6. 12/30/2025

    Community-Engaged Research at Fort Lewis College

    In this episode of Common Air, Louise Snodgrass is joined by Dr. Tapati Dutta, Chair of the Public Health Department at Fort Lewis College, to talk about her background and current research focused on language, community, and health. Dr. Dutta shares how her work translating the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) began during COVID and led to a deeper realization about the absence of this tool in Tribal languages. The MSPSS is an essential tool used all of the world to understand the strength of community bonds and social supports. Now, Fort Lewis College students and Dr. Dutta have translated this scale and have conducted community-centered research to make it available in Diné Bizaad. Dr. Dutta and her team of students are now ready for their next phase of research. This phase includes two Diné-language versions of the MSPSS scale—one translated word-for-word from English and another adapted to include cultural context. Diné speakers who are interested in participating are encouraged to contact Dr. Tapati Dutta to learn more about this important work.

    29 min

  7. 12/23/2025

    Childcare is Essential

    Access to affordable, quality childcare is essential to fostering a healthy community. Heather Hawk, Executive Director of the Early Childhood Council of La Plata County joins us on this episode of Common Air to discuss the impacts of early childhood education on families, children, and the community as a whole. In the discussion, Heather shares the current gap of care in La Plata County and discusses many of the systemic issues that have led us to the current landscape. But there is hope on the horizon. Tune in to learn more about the community-driven Childcare Investment Strategy and the ways our community to come together to solve the early childcare crisis in La Plata County. Learn more about the Early Childcare Investment Strategy by visiting https://yeslpc.com/childcare-strategy/

    29 min

  8. 12/17/2025

    Water Shapes the West

    Water is top of mind for many in the Western United States. On this episode of Common Air, Louise Snodgrass sits down with Teal Lehto, environmental activist, and content creator to unpack what’s happening with water in our region and why it deserves our attention. The conversation explores the Colorado River Basin, climate change, declining water availability, and the growing momentum of Indigenous-led solutions. Teal also highlights the positive role of beavers and wetlands in strengthening our watershed and offers practical actions listeners can take to stay informed and engaged. Tune in to learn how policy, ecology, and community action intersect! You can follow Teal’s work at Westernwatergirl on Instagram and Tiktok for ongoing insights on water in the West.

    29 min
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About

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.

Information

  • Creator
    Louise Snodgrass
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    21
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Louise Snodgrass
  • Show Website
    Common Air