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Hello, 
Please see below for Durango-area sustainability updates, events, and ways to take action. Feel free to pass this newsletter along to others who might be interested and please encourage folks to 
sign up here to receive these monthly updates on sustainability activities in our area.


Remember! join us for Green Drinks on Thursday, June 30 from 5-7PM outside at 11th Street Station. Hosts this month are Mountain Studies Institute and San Juan Mountains Association. Announcements and presentations usually start around 5:45PM.   

JUNE GREEN DRINKS

Mountain Studies Institute
Founded in 2002 in Silverton, Colorado, the Mountain Studies Institute (MSI) is a non-profit institution dedicated to advancing mountain science, promoting education, and innovating best practices to sustain the San Juan Mountain region and the communities that depend upon them. The organization works in an 8-county region in Southwestern Colorado and maintains offices in Durango and Silverton. MSI is committed to increasing knowledge and understanding of unique mountain environments and the issues that affect them, and to developing solutions for the benefit of mountain communities. For more information, visit MSI online at www.mountainstudies.org.  
 
San Juan Mountains Association 
Founded in 1988, the San Juan Mountains Association (SJMA), promotes the exploration and protection of public lands in Southwest Colorado through stewardship and conservation education for people of all ages.

EXPLORE: Through our wide-ranging visitor information centers, they provide guidance on where to go and how to enjoy the outdoors safely and responsibly.

LEARN: Through in-school lessons, field trips, summer camps, afterschool programs, interpretive hikes for adults and community events, they aim to inspire conservation ethics in all ages.

PROTECT: Through paid and volunteer stewardship programs, they help protect natural and cultural resources and encourage public lands visitors to minimize their impact. 

COMMUNITY NEWS

City of Durango

Updates

  • On June 8, the Durango City Council adopted a new sustainability plan. The creation of the plan involved extensive feedback from community members and input from multiple city departments. The plan replaces the city’s 2015 Municipal Sustainability Action Plan and utilizes a new structure designed to be more strategic and adaptable.
    • The plan highlights four priorities: greenhouse gas reductions, resiliency to climate change, health and wellbeing of residents and visitors, and equitable implementation of actions. The plan further outlines five main that categorize sustainability work: energy; transportation and development patterns; consumption and waste; water; and natural systems and ecology. Information for each sector explains how sustainability principles apply to these areas, and establishes key indicators that will be used to measure progress.sustainability plan
    • The plan also establishes a process for city staff to perform annual tracking and reporting regarding actions taken that affect sustainability indicators. Through this process community members can receive updates on progress, provide feedback to the city, express their concerns, and inform priorities for future action.
  • The city will be soon rolling out two new programs aimed at encouraging community involvement in sustainability:
    • The Green Durango Grants program will provide $1,000-$5,000 to community members and organizations to implement projects and programs that align with the Sustainability Plan. More information can be found at durangogov.org/sustainability
    • The Green Business Certification program is a partnership with the Four Corners Office of Resource Efficiency (4CORE), which provides guidance, financial incentives, and recognition for business looking to reduce their resource consumption and be more sustainable. More information can be found at fourcore.org/programs/green-business-certification/
  • Local First's Radio Show EPISODE 180: Durango's Sustainability Plan - Sarah Tober and Marty Pool dive into the newly drafted Sustainability Plan for the City of Durango—how it differs from the 2015 Municipal Sustainability Action Plan, what it means for the City, what it means for community members, and what the plan hopes to achieve for future generations. 
  • A public review of the downtown Main Avenue conceptual design is available. Please review the conceptual design and leave a comment to share what you like or dislike about the design, or to ask the project team a question. Do you have a question or comment regarding Downtown's Next Step or just want to stay informed of the process? Please submit your thoughts online or leave your email address to be informed of updates and upcoming events. 
 
City Council Meetings
  • At a special meeting Durango City Council voted to begin negotiating terms that would allow the Durango Fire Protection District to use River City Hall as its downtown fire station.
  • Durango City council approved a citizen-initiated ordinance to amend the city’s land use codes to allow for public hearings when protective services, like police and fire, try to develop in the Central Business District. Specifically, the ordinance changes protective services looking to locate in the Central Business District from an allowed use to a conditional use. 
  • Durango City Council meets every other Tuesday from 5:30-8:30PM. Upcoming City Council meetings are Tuesday, July 5th and 19th at 5:30 p.m. Study Sessions are the same days starting at 2:15 p.m. Find the agenda and meeting link at DurangoGov.org/meetings. Durango City Council regular meetings and study sessions can now be viewed live on the city's YouTube channel.
    • Public Comment can be shared at a meeting with a scheduled Public Participation agenda item. If the meeting does not have Public Participation scheduled, comments can be submitted via email to: PublicComment@DurangoGov.org. Comments must be submitted no later than noon on the Monday preceding the meeting. 

Get Involved/Take Action
  • Sign up for City of Durango News Flashes and Alerts at DurangoGov.org/NotifyMe.
  • The Durango City Council is seeking volunteers interested in serving on the following City Board and Commissions:   
    • Business Improvement District
    • Election Commission
    • Fireman’s Old Hire Pension Board
    • Land Use and Development Board of Adjustment
    • Retirement Board

Other City Meetings
  • Virtual Planning Commission Meeting: June 27, 2022, 5 PM, Zoom: https://www.durangogov.org/
  • Natural Lands Preservation Advisory Board In-Person Meeting: July 11, 2022, 5:30 - 8 PM, Recreation center, 2700 north main avenue
  • Parks and Recreation Advisory Board In Person & Virtual Meeting: July 13, 2022, 5 - 8 PM, recreation center, 2700 north main avenue
  • Multimodal Advisory Board - HYBRID: July 20, 2022, 4-6 PM, Santa Rita Water Reclamation Facility conference room, 105 S Camino del Rio. 
  • As the city begins its budgeting process for 2023, the next town hall meeting (2 of 2) is planned on July 27, at City Council ChambersBudget townhall graphic from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. for residents to share their ideas for next year’s budget with staff. 
    • City staff will poll residents in attendance to gauge how the community would like to see the city prioritize its funds by strategic plan goal in 2023. Residents will be able to ask questions and make comments about the upcoming budget to city staff toward the end of the meeting. To participate virtually, go to Zoom.
    • For a short video overview of the 2022 budget produced by the city during the 2022 budget cycle click here. For up-to-date information on the city’s 2022 budget, check out the city’s financial transparency tool Open Gov.  

La Plata County

Updates and Get Involved

La Plata County Commission Meetings
  • Here is the schedule for upcoming County Commission Meetings.  All meetings are held at 10 a.m. in the County Administration Building, 1101 E. 2nd Ave. Meetings are accessible via Zoom using the links or phone numbers below. Join the meeting at https://zoom.us/j/819094582 
  • All La Plata County Commissioners have office hours. You can find out more here: https://www.co.laplata.co.us/departments/board_of_county_commissioners/index.php or follow them on Facebook: 
  • Board of County Commissioners hosts "On the Road" meetings Mark your calendars! The Board of County Commissioners and staff will be hosting the following “On the Road” community meetings to give residents an opportunity for informal discussion with the Board and key staff to discuss issues of interest and concern.
    • Wednesday, July 6 from 6-7:30pm
      • Breen Community Building
      • 15300 CO-140, Hesperus, CO 81326
    • Monday August 1st from 6-7:30pm
      • Animas Valley Grange
      • 7271 Co Rd 203, Durango, CO 81301

COVID-19 Vaccines and Testing
  • COVID-19 vaccines will continue to be available in La Plata and Archuleta counties through health care providers, local pharmacies, and other partners. In addition, SJBPH will offer COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters at its offices in Durango and Pagosa Springs.
  • Find local vaccine providers and clinics, and make an appointment at sjbpublichealth.org/covid-19-vaccine
  • San Juan Basin Public Health (SJBPH) provides free COVID-19 testing in partnership with COVIDCheck Colorado. 

La Plata Electric Association

Updates


Meetings

Durango School District 9-R

  • Durango 9R Board of Education meetings are generally held on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month starting at 5:30 and are always open to the public. The 2nd Tuesday of the month is usually a work session while the 4th Tuesday is the official public meeting where actions are taken and there is always an opportunity for public input. If you wish to participate, you much fill out this form 24 hours in advance.

Sustainable Tourism

  • Visit Durango is a public organization funded by City and County Lodgers Tax. Therefore, all Board Meetings and Board Retreats are open to the public. Here is the 2022 Board Meeting and Retreat scheduleAll meetings are currently held via Zoom. The Visit Durango Board of Directors meetings are on the 4th Thursday of the month from 10am-12pm.
  • Enter the "Engage Durango Locals Giveaway" for your chance to win new prizes every month and further connect our community. Visit Durango wants your feedback, and we are giving away sustainable prize packs every month to say thank you. The July 2022 Prize Pack includes two tickets to the Medieval to Metal Guitar Exhibit at the Powerhouse Science Center; a copy of the Be Local Coupon Book; Durango themed tote bags, posters & stickers; gift cards to 81301 Coffee House & Roasters, Heathen Soap, Durango Olive Oil Company, and Animas Chocolate & Coffee Company. This prize pack is valued at $150. The sweepstakes begins on Saturday, June 18th, ends on Friday, July 15th, and is open to La Plata County residents. The winner will be announced on Saturday, July 16th.

LOCAL SUSTAINABILITY EVENTS CALENDAR
Check out all upcoming local sustainability events here!

Do you have a local sustainability event?
Please send the details you'd like added to the
calendar to DurangoGreenDrinks@gmail.com
2022 GREEN DRINKS SCHEDULE

Here are the dates to save for Durango Green Drinks in 2022! We'll start up again on the last Thursday of the month from 5-7PM outside at 11th Street Station in March. 

2022 Hosts and Calendar (March to November):
Know an organization that might be interested in hosting a Green Drinks in 2022? Please have them reach out to DurangoGreenDrinks@gmail.com!
Looking for some good news? Sign up for Durango's Darcy Hitchcock's blog here

The Sustainability Alliance of Southwest Colorado (SASCO) networks with local organizations, businesses, governments, and individuals to create a more just society which prioritizes environmental stewardship, social equity, and a thriving local economy.

Copyright © 2022 All rights reserved. http://www.sustainableswcolorado.com
 
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