Racing and celebration are on tap this fall at Durango Mesa Park

This fall brings a few good reasons to gather on your Mesa, from race days to milestone celebrations, starting with the Durango Derby, back for its third year on Saturday, September 12. We chatted with race organizer Dave Hagen to talk about what's new this season and why the Mesa has become such a natural home for the event.

What’s New for Durango Derby

The Durango Derby, presented by Durango Trails, is back for its third year at Durango Mesa Park, the venue that's become its home.

We chatted with race organizer Dave Hagen to find out what's changed, what's new for riders this year, and why the Mesa has become such a natural fit for the event.

Listening and Adapting

Three years in, Hagen says the biggest lesson has been about scale and reach.

"We learned that it can be difficult to bring people into Durango from beyond the region for a mountain bike race," Hagen says. "We've adapted to focus more on getting the word out locally."

That shift shaped one of this year's bigger changes: the team category is gone. "It really didn't gain the traction we hoped, given that the 12 Hours of Mesa Verde fills with teams annually," Hagen explains.

In its place, the Derby is adding solo 2-stage and 3-stage race options, built to keep the event approachable for recreational and intermediate riders. Entry fees are lower this year too, and for the first time, juniors race for free.

The changes trace straight back to rider feedback. "We listened to what we were hearing from our post-race survey and made changes based on that," Hagen says. Waiving fees for junior racers wasn't a hard call. "Having juniors race at no cost is a no-brainer in the Durango community. Competitions available to juniors are what has helped develop the town's long list of professional riders."

A Valued Partner

For Hagen, the Derby and the Mesa go hand in hand.

"The Derby would be very difficult to run without Durango Mesa Park," he says. Parking, trail access, and park infrastructure give the race a central gathering point where riders can come together before and after each stage, with direct access to singletrack right from the venue. "It will be great to see how the Derby develops as more park infrastructure comes online. And the views from the park are second to none."

Looking further out, Hagen sees the Mesa playing an even bigger role in Durango's cycling future. As more amenities are built-out, he expects the park to become a true gathering place for riders of all ages and abilities, home to an official start and finish area, and a venue built for festival-scale events. "It will help Durango take the next step toward developing top-tier cyclists and a strong cycling community overall."

For Spectators

You don't have to race to be part of it. The main venue on your Mesa puts spectators within easy reach of multiple trails, food trucks, and drinks, all in one spot. Beyond the venue, the best views of the action are along each stage's route.

A Rare Look at the Mesa in Progress

Race day also brings a rare bit of access. For the Derby and the other events on the fall calendar, Ewing Mesa Road will open to traffic for participants and spectators, a chance to drive in and see firsthand the progress underway at the park. That access doesn’t extend into the construction zone, which remains closed to vehicles, even on race days.

That access is temporary. For all of 2026 and into 2027, Durango Mesa Park is normally reached on foot or by bike only, via the Carbon Junction and Horse Gulch trailheads. Ewing Mesa Road stays closed the rest of the year.

The park also remains an active construction zone. Everyone on site, whether racing or spectating, needs to obey posted signage and respect all closures, for their own safety and everyone else's.

What's Ahead for the Derby

For Hagen, the Derby's value goes beyond a single race day. "It gives Durango a professionally run fall mountain bike race that's approachable for all ages and abilities," he says. With the momentum building around the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup and the return of the World Championships, he sees real potential for the Derby to grow alongside them, and maybe even anchor a fall mountain bike festival down the road.

More to Come This Fall on the Mesa

The Derby is just one stop on a busy fall calendar at Durango Mesa Park. Also on deck for 2026:

• Fort Lewis College Cycling Mountain Bike Race (September 27-28): Collegiate competition and hometown pride come together as the Skyhawks take on dynamic terrain that reflects Durango's mountain biking roots.

• Durango DEVO's 20th Anniversary Festivities (October 17-18): Two decades of youth cycling, community, and adventure, celebrated with rides and activities for the next generation of riders.

• Fort Lewis College Cycling Cyclocross Race (November): Tight-course, high-speed racing as student-athletes test their skill in front of a home crowd.

See the full lineup and race details at durangomesapark.org/events, and learn more about the Durango Derby at durangoderby.com.