The latest edition of the satirical newspaper, The Snowdown Sneer, has been released and is now available for pickup at the Durango Welcome Center and Magpies Newsstand, located at 802 Main Ave. and 707 Main Ave. respectively. This annual publication offers a humorous take on various local issues and events from 2025, including critical commentary on pickleball courts, the impact of a dry winter, and the performance of the United States Postal Service.
Among the highlights, the front page features a tongue-in-cheek article addressing the slow mail delivery in Durango, inviting residents to visit the Durango Post Office and sift through “The Pile” to find their misplaced mail. The newspaper humorously notes the “heartbreakingly low snow levels” recorded during the winter of 2025-26. In a mock report, Purgatory Resort is alleged to be offering a “Bring Your Own Snow” discount, where a spokesperson, Jeff Mogul, encourages customers to bring various types of snow, including hard-packed and even “yellow snow.” He also jokingly mentions that Chapman Hill Ski Area will be under “24-hour armed guard” due to the scarcity of snow.
Local governance received its share of satire as well, particularly the city of Durango’s outdoor pickleball courts, childcare accessibility, and off-leash dog policies. One playful article titled “City to Renovate Pickleball Complex, Distinguish which Courts are Dill, which Bread & Butter” addresses the pickleball scene. Another article creatively combines the pressing issues of childcare and off-leash dog areas into a single solution: a fenced-in outdoor pre-K childcare facility and dog park.
The back page of The Sneer features a report by the fictional Dee Stopia, which humorously claims that the city has ordered an additional 500 Flock Safety cameras to monitor pet owners who fail to clean up after their dogs. The publication also includes engaging content such as crossword puzzles, word searches, and a unique variant of Sudoku, alongside a Colorado history-themed Zodiac page, all aligning with this year’s Snowdown theme, “Uniquely Colorado – Then and Wow.”
With its sharp wit and local focus, The Snowdown Sneer continues to provide residents of Durango and La Plata County with a humorous lens through which to view the year’s events. Those interested in picking up a copy can do so at the designated locations while supplies last.
