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David Brooks, a New York Times columnist, political commentator and best-selling author, and Erik Weihenmayer, adventurer, athlete, author and the first blind person to summit Mount Everest, will speak in Durango in 2020.

Brooks and Weihenmayer will speak at the Fort Lewis College Community Concert Hall as part of the Community Foundation Serving Southwest Colorado’s Making a Difference Speakers Series.

Briggen Wrinkle, executive director of the Community Foundation, said both speakers fit perfectly with the theme of the series, which encourages notable personalities to offer reflections on their lives.

Weihenmayer will speak at 7 p.m. Jan. 24, 2020, and Brooks will speak at 7 p.m. May 12, 2020. Tickets for Weihenmayer are $20 to $45 and for Brooks $30 to $55. Tickets are available at durangoconcerts.com.

Wrinkle described Weihenmayer as a “phenomenal motivational speaker.” He will conduct meetings with students from Durango High School and Fort Lewis College in conjunction with his speech.

“The Weight of Water,” Weihenmayer’s film about his kayaking trip through the Grand Canyon, will be shown at 8 p.m. Saturday at the Mancos Opera House as part of the Mancos Valley River Film Festival.

Brooks, who describes himself politically as a “moderate” and has said one of his callings is to represent a certain “moderate Republican Whig political philosophy,” is well-known for his appearances on the PBS Newshour and All Things Considered on National Public Radio.

Wrinkle said Brooks’ most-recent book, “The Second Mountain,” includes life reflections and examines how people bring their talents and skills beyond their inner circle of family and friends to strengthen their broader communities.

Coming in May, Brooks will also offer his analysis of the political scene amid the 2020 presidential election.

“I’m sure he’s likely to touch on an analysis of the national political scene. There’s no way around it, right?” she said.

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