They can be found outside most major, sought-after events reselling tickets at a price higher than face value.

But in Durango? At Snowdown?

Scalpers.

The legality of reselling tickets for profit varies from state to state, county to county. In Durango, individuals who scoop up tickets and jack up the price, though reviled by some, are not breaking the law.

“Basically, it’s buyer beware,” said Durango Police Sgt. Robert Taylor.

And no ticket is more prized than that for Snowdown Follies, the notorious sketch comedy variety show.

Snowdown Follies is staged simultaneously in two locations – the Henry Strater Theatre and the Durango Arts Center – for a total of nine performances. Given the capacity of the venues’ cabaret seating, only 2,064 tickets are available (excluding the live videocast at the Animas City Theater).

In recent years, organizers changed the way tickets were purchased.

“We don’t have people line up like we used to,” said Snowdown board secretary Dawn James-Staten.

“People used to camp out for days. It’s much better now.”

The first way to land Follies tickets was a lottery system in December, which James-Staten said saw the largest number of entries in the event’s 33-year history at 10,000.

Then, the volunteer cast and crew could purchase up to four tickets for friends and family.

After that, a public sale that’s more of a quasi-scavenger hunt was held on Jan. 16. That event sold out in an hour and a half, James-Stanten said.

And, for those still on the outs, the last chance for tickets was an auction at the Bank of the San Juans the week before Snowdown.

But, for the truly desperate, there appears to be one more option.

“Scalping is legal, so there’s not really anything we can do,” James-Staten said. “But it is frowned upon because it violates the spirit of Snowdown, which is to provide fun that’s free or inexpensive.”

The price of a Snowdown Follies ticket increased to $20 this year, up from $17.50 in 2014.

However, in ads placed in The Durango Herald and posted on social media, tickets are being sold at upwards of $100.

Bayfield resident Todd Jones is selling four tickets at $100 apiece on Durango Colorado On-line Garage Sale.

“If you can’t go, then why did you buy them in the first place?” wrote Jeremy Montoya. “For profit?”

Janalee Hogan, event coordinator for Snowdown Follies, said she’s seen some people go to “great lengths” to get tickets to make a buck.

“Follies is not intended to be a profit item at all,” Hogan said. “Unfortunately, it goes on out there.”

Though organizers cannot control people who purchase tickets, Hogan said, reselling tickets is prohibited for cast members.

Yet, the volunteer crew seems unable to resist.

Lisa Vwisler, who acted in Snowdown Follies for 14 years, last year listed two of her four tickets.

“Doing the Follies is a huge financial expense, and it’s nice when you can cover that cost,” Vwisler said. “Some of these people drive a long way. Everyone I know does it.”