Hello,
Please see below for local sustainability updates, events, and ways to take action. Please pass this newsletter along to others and encourage folks to sign up here to receive these monthly updates on sustainability activities in La Plata County and Durango!
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.
Watch the Virtual Town Hall on LPEA's Future power Supply here and read an update about the buyout from Tri-State here.
Meetings
The next regular LPEA Board of Directors meeting is Wednesday, March 16 at 9:00 a.m. via zoom. Input from Coop members is always welcome, even just by thanking the board for working on a 50% buy-out from Tri-State and financially supporting the purchase of the new electric school bus, a first in Colorado. Comments or questions to the board can be made shortly after 9 a.m.
Durango City Council meets every other Tuesday from 5:30-8:30PM. Upcoming City Council meetings are Tuesday, March 1, March 15 at 5:30 p.m. Find the agenda and meeting link at DurangoGov.org/meetings.
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.
At the Feb. 1, 2022 City Council meeting, councilors received an update on repairs to the water line supplying water to the Water Treatment Plant from the Florida River. Council also introduced an ordinance approving amendments to the Land Use and Development Code for commercial parking to allow for outside patios for restaurants utilizing some of a business’s assigned parking.
At the Feb 15 council meeting housing took center stage. Three projects that could collectively add 472 new housing units were given the green light. The projects will add 141 studio units located in the former Durango Downtown Inn, 120 units at the former Best Western Durango Inn and Suites, and 211 new units in Three Springs.
Current City Board Vacancies: Durango’s boards and commissions provide a foundation for public input and are a great way for citizens to get involved with their community. Boards and commissions generally meet monthly. For more information and to apply (starting in April), visit DurangoGov.org/Board
The City of Durango is updating the Multimodal Transportation Plan. The plan is a road map to integrate Durango's transportation network so people can move around easily, whether walking, biking, using a mobility device or riding Durango Transit. The plan was last updated in 2016. Community feedback during the update process helps define the plan vision and helps the city identify needed improvements to meet the needs of all users. For more information about the Multimodal Transportation Plan and other ways to share ideas and feedback, visit here.
Other City Meetings
Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Virtual Meeting, Wednesday, March 9, 2022 - they typically meet virtually on the second Wednesday of each month at 5:00 p.m. Public comment is taken at the beginning of the meeting under agenda item, Public Comment. Each person has up to 3 minutes to speak. Written public comments for the Board or for Department staff, can be sent to rec@durangogov.org. If for an Advisory Board, indicate which Board, and send two weeks in advance of scheduled meeting to ensure that it is included into the board packet. For the PRAB meeting agenda packet, visit, https://www.durangogov.org/146/Agendas-Minutes
Natural Lands Preservation Advisory Board Virtual Meeting, Monday, March 14, 2022 - they usually meet the second Monday of each month at 6:00 p.m.
*Please see agendas for how to participate in these virtual meetings. The link to the virtual meeting is available here: https://durangogov.org/zoom or click on the links to specific meetings above.
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.
9R is heavily engaged in moving forward on the planned maintenance, remodeling and new construction projects as identified in the Citizen Bond approved in 2019.
They are committed to using the Collaborative for High Performance Schools (CHPS) rating system for Miller and the new career innovation center. The new Miller Middle School will be built behind to the existing school, requiring careful planning and scheduling.
The Citizens Bond Oversight Committee and the 9R Sustainability Team are meeting monthly to ensure progress on the bond projects and integrating sustainability into the school district.
Mike Cavender has been appointed as 9R’s facility director and sustainability coordinator.
Visit Durango is working on their strategic plan for Destination Management going forward. Expect to see that plan in the next three to four months.
Results from the Restart Destinations Grant Workshop are in. The Colorado Tourism Office will be assisting with some projects based on workshop feedback.
La Plata County
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.
La Plata County is hiring a new Wildfire and Watershed Protection Fund Coordinator (WWPF) who will work with WWPF members: private landowners; local, state and federal agencies; and other stakeholders to develop and implement a strategy for coordinated, landscape-scale wildfire and watershed treatment and mitigation on private lands. See the job description here.
Regional Housing Alliance accepting applications for Member-at-Large Board Position - The Regional Housing Alliance of La Plata County is accepting applications for its Member-at-Large Board position. Applicants for this three-year term must be residents of, or employed in, La Plata County, Colorado and be at least 18 years old. The City of Durango currently has two members on the board.
Applicants should have experience or expertise in areas related areas related to the services provided by the Alliance such as real estate, banking, finance, legal, or social services. Member-at-Large Board Position Application Applications are due by February 25, 2022. Applications are also available at swccog.org/projects/housing. For additional information, please contact Jessica Laitsch at info@swccog.org or (970) 759-4134.
Colorado Parks & Wildlife's successful recovery of the San Juan cutthroat trout during the 416 Fire of 2018 is the subject of a new documentary produced by Days Edge Productions and presented by Western Landowners Alliance and Chama Peak Land Alliance.
The 14-minute film highlights how Jim White, a Colorado Parks and Wildlife aquatic biologist based out of Durango, collaborated with Banded Peak Ranch manager Tim Haarmann to save one of the last remaining populations of the recently rediscovered San Juan cutthroat trout that, until 2018, was believed to be extinct.
Free KN95 masks are available at the Durango and Pagosa Springs San Juan Basin Public Health offices while supplies last. Masks are available on a first come, first served basis until they run out. Five masks will be provided per person. The public is required to wear a mask to enter SJBPH offices and lobbies at this time.
SJBPH's Public Health Advisorystrongly recommends all individuals wear well-fitting, high-quality masks in public indoor spaces, businesses, and workplaces.
Additional mask distribution sites can be found on the state's website: covid19.colorado.gov/freemasks or by calling the state COVID-19 call center at 1-877-268-2926.
Booster Shots Widely Available
Receiving a booster dose is the best protection to lessen the chance of serious illness and hospitalization from COVID-19. The COVID-19 vaccine is currently available to all community members ages 5 and up. Residents under the age of 18 are only eligible for the Pfizer vaccine at this time.
All community members ages 12 and up may receive a booster 5 months after completing the Pfizer vaccine. People ages 18 and up may receive a booster 5 months after completing the Moderna vaccine.
For adults who received the Johnson & Johnson single-dose vaccine, the timeline for booster eligibility is two months. Minors are only eligible for the Pfizer booster.
FDA and CDC also recommend that moderately or severely immunocompromised 5–11-year-olds receive an additional third dose of the Pfizer vaccine 28 days after their second shot.
San Juan Basin Public Health (SJBPH) provides free COVID-19 testing in partnership with COVIDCheck Colorado.
Public health precautions remain critical. SJBPH urges everyone to follow these important public health precautions:
Vaccines and boosters are widely available to help prevent hospitalizations and limit the severity of illness if you are to be infected even with the Omicron variant.
Wear a well-fitting, high-quality mask in public places and when gathering indoors.
Be mindful of higher-risk activities, such as singing or gathering in larger groups.
Avoid crowds and indoor spaces when possible that do not offer fresh air from the outdoors.
If indoors, bring in fresh air by opening windows and doors, if possible.
Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
Testing is still an important part of a responsible COVID protocol, regardless of the size of the gathering.
Practice social distance by staying at least 6 feet away from others.
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.
