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 hereto receive these monthly updates on sustainability activities in our area.
Remember to join us for Durango Green Drinks on Thursday, July 28 from 5-7PM outside at 11th Street Station. Hosts this month are Great Old Broads for Wilderness, Durango's Chapter of Citizens' Climate Lobby, and Conservation Colorado. Announcements and presentations usually start around 5:45PM.
Citizens’ Climate Lobby is a grassroots, nonprofit, non-partisan volunteer-driven organization working on climate change. Their volunteers raise the political will for Congress to pass national legislation that is bipartisan and significantly reduces CO2 emissions reductions while protecting lower income individuals and families from increased costs.
Great Old Broads for Wilderness Great Old Broads for Wilderness (Broads) is a national grassroots organization, led by women, that engages and inspires activism to preserve and protect wilderness and wild lands. Conceived by older women who love wilderness, Broads gives voice to the millions of Americans who want to protect their public lands and wilderness for future generations. They bring knowledge, leadership, and humor to the wilderness preservation movement. And, they are educating communities about the critical connection between healthy public lands and climate change mitigation. Broad's 10 staff are headquartered in Durango, CO and their grassroots advocacy efforts are visible through their 70 plus Broadband leaders and 14 chapters from east to west coasts. Visit Broads' website to learn more and join them to protect wild public lands. www.greatoldbroads.org
The South San Juan Broadband of Great Old Broads for Wilderness is the local group. They are involved in trail clearing in the National Forest; monitoring grazing allotments in the wilderness; monitoring bighorn sheep and American dippers; having fun in local parades and on the trails; and speaking up to protect our local, regional and national wild places. They work with Companeros to introduce the next generation in understanding and having fun in the great outdoors. They welcome all ages to join them!
Conservation Colorado Conservation Colorado is a statewide non-profit that uses community-engaged activism to push the needle forward on issues from public lands protection, water conservation, to climate action. They work to put information and resources in the hands of people like you, business owners, and local elected officials to become activists and make a real difference. This summer, Conservation Colorado is working to take bold action on forthcoming revisions to the Colorado Water Plan. We are at the precipice of achieving major change and Colorado has the potential to become even more of a leader at the national level. The time to act now!
COMMUNITY NEWS
City of Durango
Updates
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/
During the month of August, public transit agencies around the state of Colorado are joining together to take part in the Zero Fare for Better Air initiative. This collaborative, statewide initiative is designed to reduce ground-level ozone by increasing use of transit throughout the entire month of August. Through a partnership with the Colorado Energy Office, made possible by Colorado Senate Bill 22-180, Durango Transit will offer free transit on all routes during Colorado’s high ozone season from August 1-31, 2022.
Approximately 85% of the greenhouse gas emissions that come from transportation are due to day-to-day commutes. By leaving the car at home, a person can save up to 20 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions every day.
City to distribute nearly $700,000 in Lodgers’ Tax funds for events, arts, and culture.The first round of funding requests for Lodgers’ Tax Arts and Culture projects ended on June 30. The city received 35 applications that if all were approved would total over $1 million. Creative Economy Commission staff is currently reviewing applications and will announce which of the projects will be funded at the Creative Economy Commission on July 26. There will be roughly $250,000 distributed among projects in the first round of arts and culture funding.
Durango City Council meets every other Tuesday from 5:30-8:30PM. Upcoming City Council meetings are Tuesday, August 2nd and 16th 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 Commentcan 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.
As the city begins its budgeting process for 2023, staff has launched a survey to learn what budgetary items the residents of Durango would like to prioritize. Residents who take the survey will be able to indicate which of the city’s strategic goals are most important to them. Strategic goals include things like enhanced livability and sense of place, affordability and economic opportunity, and an effective infrastructure network among others.
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.
The Durango City Council is seeking volunteers interested in serving on the following City Board and Commissions(Applications for Board and Commission vacancies will be accepted through July 29, 2022): Business Improvement District, Creative Economy Commission, Election Commission, Fireman’s Old Hire Pension Board, Land Use and Development Board of Adjustment, Retirement Board.
Please participate in a city-wide survey designed to help the city identify parking solutions. Take the Survey Here:https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/DurangosParkingFuture Those who complete the survey will be entered to win gift cards to local businesses provided by Durango Business Improvement District and the Durango Chamber of Commerce.Meetings will be held at the Durango Public Library on Aug. 4 in the morning from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. and in the evening starting at 5 p.m.
Other City Meetings
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 Chambers 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.
Natural Lands Preservation Advisory Board In-Person Meeting - August 8, 2022 from 5:30 PM - 8:00 PM
Location: Recreation Center, 2700 N. Main Ave Virtual Meeting Link
Multimodal Advisory Board - HYBRID - August 17, 2022 from 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM at 105 S Camino del Rio. Contact: 970-375-4955 or Email Santa Rita Water Reclamation Facility Conference Room
La Plata County
Updates and Get Involved
The County is co-hosting having HHW (Hazardous Household Waste) event with the City of Durango this fall, Sept 23 & 24.
Sept 23 is a Friday and we allow commercial drop offs by appointment, but we don’t turn anyone away.
Sept 24 is a Saturday and it’s open to residential drop offs.
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
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.
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 out about current LPEA happenings and news here and read the Watt's Up monthly Newsletters here.
Meetings
The next regular LPEA Board of Directors meeting is Wednesday, August 19 at 9:00 a.m. via zoom. Input from Coop members is always welcome. Comments or questions to the board can be made shortly after 9 a.m.
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.
Visit Durango is seeking applicants for an open seat on their Board of Directors. The nominee must be an active participant/employee/owner in the local Outdoor Recreation industry with operations based in Durango/La Plata County. Applications are due by August 31. The Board term begins October 1.
The application is online. If you have any questions about Visit Durango or the Board of Directors, reach out to: Rachel Brown - Executive Director - rachel@durango.org - 970-235-0230 or Tori Ossola - Board Chair - Tossola@strater.com
Visit engage.durango.org to give feedback and submit ideas to Visit Durango.
If you want to start a new event or have a current event visit durango.org and apply for an event marking grant.
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.
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.
