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 our area.
Join us for Green Drinks on Thursday, April 28 - the last Thursday of the month - from 5-7PM outside at 11th Street Station. Hosts this month are us - Sustainability Alliance of Southwest Colorado (SASCO) and Turtle Lake Refuge.
SASCO UPDATES
Sustainability Alliance of Southwest Colorado had a fun Earth Day celebration on Saturday! Thanks to everyone who stopped by the SASCO table and thanks for hosting and organizing, Fourcore.org!
Looking to take action? Read about what our board members do to help promote sustainability and what we hope to do on our website.
APRIL GREEN DRINKS
Sustainability Alliance of Southwest Colorado The Sustainability Alliance of Southwest Colorado (SASCO) networks with local organizations, businesses, governments, and individuals to create a more just society that prioritizes environmental stewardship, social equity, and a thriving local economy.
During SASCO’s portion of Green Drinks, since the LPEA board of director elections have been canceled this year, we’ll be hearing from some of the La Plata Electric Association board of directors about the recent vote on Tri-state.
Turtle Lake Refuge Turtle Lake Refuge's mission is to celebrate the connection between personal health and wild lands. They promote sustainable practices honoring wild wisdom of nature and the health of the community. Examples of their work include growing, harvesting and preparing local, wild and living food through our Turtle Cafe open for lunch every Tuesday and Friday, educating about the great values of the wild edible and medicinal abundance available in our area, providing local microgreens and wild food products for the public schools, restaurants and stores, and providing organic land stewardship throughout the Southwest through the project, Bee Happy Lands.
March Green Drinks Photos
Thanks to hosts Four Core and the City of Durango's Sustainability Department!
COMMUNITY NEWS
La Plata Electric Association
Updates - Upcoming Election - Canceled!
Another reminder that for the first time in 18 years, LPEA canceled this year’s election since none of the director seats were contested. All four incumbents were running unopposed, so the board voted to cancel the election. That means no ballots will be heading your way this year. Congratulations to Holly Metzler, Dan Huntington, Joe Lewandowski, and John Witchel on their re-election.
Find out about current LPEA happenings and news here and read the Watt's Up monthly Newsletters here.
Visit the "Electrify and Save" booth at the Durango Home & Ranch Show on Saturday, April 30, and Sunday, May 1. Swing by to try our hands-on demonstration equipment and for a chance to win an electric leaf blower!
Meetings
The next regular LPEA Board of Directors meeting is Wednesday, May 18 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.
The 2022 Annual LPEA meeting is on Thursday, May 12, 2022 from 5 to 6:30PM at LPEA Durango Truck Barn (Bodo Park) or Via Zoom. - Hear more about LPEA's major accomplishments in 2021 and a live Q&A session. Snacks will be provided and all attendees will be entered to win one of several fun door prizes.
City of Durango
Updates
The City of Durango announced that the 2018 International Building Codes have been adopted. This adoption includes the 2018 International Residential Code, International Building Code, International Plumbing Code, International Mechanical Code, International Fire Code, International Fuel Gas Code and the International Energy Conservation Code. The new codes are effective beginning April 1, 2022.
The City Council declared the week of April 11 as Arbor Week in Durango, a time to celebrate our urban forest and all the benefits it brings to our community. Durango Parks and Recreation hosted its 42nd Annual Arbor Day celebration April 15 with students from Park Elementary School. Mayor Kim Baxter read the city's Arbor Day proclamation to the students, who also heard from Woodsy Owl. The students then helped plant three trees in Santa Rita Park!
The City Council declared the week of April 18 as Earth Week in Durango, a time for citizens to explore what they can do to reduce negative impacts on our environment and to cherish and protect our planet.
City Council is slated to review the final draft of Durango’s Sustainability Plan during Study Session on Tuesday, June 7. Session starts at 2:15 p.m. Pending the review and discussion of the plan during the June 7 Study Session, City Council will then be slated to vote to adopt the plan during the Regular Meeting on Tuesday, June 21 which starts at 5:30 p.m.
Durango Botanical Gardens will be making several additions to the Library Gardens this summer including a trellis, a small walking bridge and other improvements on the western side of the property. Durango Botanic Gardens, in cooperation with the CSU Extension Office, is hosting a series of free informative classes through September. Learn more about the Great Garden Series.
Results from the Downtown's Next Step questionnaire are now available. More than 1,260 community members weighed in on four design concepts for downtown Main Avenue. The city hosted an open house March 31 for community members to learn about the questionnaire results. Learn more about Downtown's Next Step and/or submit a comment about the project online.
City Council Meetings
Durango City Council meets every other Tuesday from 5:30-8:30PM. Upcoming City Council meetings are Tuesday, May 3rd and 17th 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.
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.
Here's how you can attend or watch city council meetings:
The Durango City Council meetings and study sessions will now be live streamed on YouTube. Simply go to Durango’s YouTube channel on the day and time of the meetings and they will appear at the top of the Home Page.
Serve your community - Durango City Council is seeking volunteers to serve on city boards and commissions. Boards and commissions generally meet on a monthly basis. Applications will be accepted through April 29. For more information and to apply, go to DurangoGov.org/Boards
Participate in Climate Change Community Workshops being hosted by the state throughout Colorado to hear from communities about their concerns, priorities, and ideas for state climate action. Durango June 9 from 5-8 pm - Registration is available HERE. Colorado’s GHG Pollution Reduction Roadmap was developed in 2019 with input from a wide variety of stakeholders. Successful implementation of the roadmap and other opportunities including the federal infrastructure bill and state air quality package present unprecedented opportunities for Colorado communities to receive funding, technical support, and access to state policies and programs to accelerate an equitable transition to clean energy.
Dinner will be provided and participants will receive a $75 Visa gift card, as a thank you for their time and input. Childcare stipends are also available to those who need them in order to attend. All meetings will be accessible in English and Spanish.
If you are unable to attend an in-person workshop, you are welcome to register for one of the Zoom workshops, which will be held on June 16th and June 22nd from 5:30-7:30pm (note: space is also limited for these and participants of virtual workshops will receive $45 Visa gift cards as a thank you.) You can select one of these virtual workshops in the same registration form.
Other City Meetings
Natural Lands Preservation Advisory Board In-Person Meeting - Monday, April 25, 2022, 5:30 PM - 8:00 PM, Recreation Center
Infrastructure Advisory Board - May 2, 2022, 4:30 PM - 6:00 PM, Santa Rita Water Reclamation Facility Conference Room
Natural Lands Preservation Advisory Board In-Person Meeting - May 9, 2022; 5:30 PM - 8:00 PM; Recreation Center
Parks and Recreation Advisory Board In Person & Virtual Meeting - May 11, 2022; 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM; Recreation Center; For additional Zoom link information visit: https://durangogov.zoom.us/calendar/list
County asked for public input on the strategic plan update with meetings held in April.The county’s strategic plan is typically updated every five years. The updated document will reflect the current and future concerns and values of the residents, business owners and other organizations in La Plata County as well as the goals and strategies of the Board of County Commissioners. The revised strategic plan is expected to be completed this summer. Attendees were asked to consider the following questions:
What do you consider to be the most important issues facing La Plata County at present? (i.e. – Affordable housing/homeless issues, infrastructure, population/traffic, substance abuse, etc.)
What issues currently not being discussed are important to you in thinking about the future of La Plata County?
How do you see the role of county government in addressing these and other issues?
For further information or if you are unable to attend any of the meetings, you can submit any feedback directly to Ted Holteen, Public & Governmental Affairs Manager, by email or phone: ted.holteen@co.laplata.co.us or (970) 382-6265 or email topics or concerns to the BOCC here.
The County is starting a public process around oil/gas regulations update in relation to SB 19-181. Anyone interested should sign up for the Community Development Department newsletter.
The County offered a loan to help the Westside Mobile Home Park Co-Op. Working with Elevation Land Trust, Local First's Impact Fund, and other stakeholders including 1st Southwest Bank, our loan enabled a 2nd contract to be successful.
If anyone wishes to follow what is occurring with homeless issues, read more here.
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
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.
San Juan Basin Public Health (SJBPH) provides free COVID-19 testing in partnership with COVIDCheck Colorado.
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.
The next Board Coffee Chat is April 28th from 12-1 pm at the Common Grounds Cafe, inside the Durango Public Library 1900 E 3rd Ave, Durango, CO 81301.
At the early April board meeting, directors heard this presentationfrom Charlie Love, of Riverview Elementary, on SOIL: A collaborative project to promote STEM and place-based education, self-sufficiency, sustainability, equity, and community in a dynamic outdoor environment. Stay tuned for more information and communication about this inspirational and beneficial undertaking - including how you can participate!
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.
d a fun Earth Day celebration on Saturday! Thanks to everyone who stopped by the SASCO table and thanks for hosting and organizing, Fourcore.org! 
