The Journal file

Solar panels on the City Hall building in Cortez, installed by Shaw Solar of Durango. The same company will install solar panels on the roof of the Cortez Municipal Airport, cutting its electric bill in half.

Courtesy of Lilly Figueroa

Mancos student Lilly Figueroa, 16, is researching the molecular biology behind high twin rates in cattle with the support of the organization GripTape.

Courtesy of Mesa Verde National Park

In a reflective mood, Zia Pueblo elder Peter Pino scans the stabilized walls at Cliff Palace. For years, Pino worked with staff members at Mesa Verde National Park to help them understand perspectives from Pueblo people whose ancestors lived at Mesa Verde for centuries.

Courtesy of Andrew Gulliford

Peter Pino enjoyed working with Tara Travis at Mesa Verde National Park’s Visitor and Research Center, which he helped to design. Pino especially liked discussing historic Pueblo ceramic pottery and pots similar to those he knew from his lifetime at Zia Pueblo.

Courtesy of Andrew Gulliford

One ancient dressed or hand-carved stone at the Pueblo II Far View village site at Mesa Verde National Park contains a carved spiral. Here, Peter Pino explains Pueblo philosophy about spirals and cycles of life.

Courtesy of Andrew Gulliford

At Mug House in Mesa Verde National Park, Zia Pueblo elder Peter Pino explains the unique design of a kiva whose roof beams would have exactly replicated the Zia Sun symbol found on the New Mexico state flag and on New Mexico license plates. In all of his Mesa Verde tours, Pino connected the ancient past with living tribal peoples.

Courtesy of Mesa Verde National Park

Along with crew members of the USS Mesa Verde, Peter Pino (in colored vest) stands with U.S. Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell and his wife, Linda, on Pino’s left and with Mesa Verde National Park Superintendent Cliff Spencer on his right.

Courtesy of Andrew Gulliford

Zia Pueblo elder Peter Pino always wore a customized tribal baseball cap outdoors, and he impressed National Park Service staff members and guests alike with his vast knowledge of Pueblo Indian culture and history.

Massey

Jerry McBride/Durango Herald

Firefighters from Fort Lewis Mesa Fire Protection District make the final steps Friday on the Sky Steps at Fort Lewis College to commemorate the first responders who died responding to the Sept. 11 attacks at the World Trade Center in New York City.