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.
4CORE (Four Corners Office for Resource Efficiency) focuses on delivering programs and projects that provide climate solutions. Their timely and relevant programs reduce the harmful effects of the climate crisis through resource conservation education, energy efficiency programs, promoting the adoption of electric vehicles and EV infrastructure, water conservation programs and solar for low-income housing. In partnership with the City of Durango, they are offering Green Business Certifications to the region to help businesses with energy efficiency, reduce operations costs and create healthier workplaces. They continue to offer the first carbon offset program - the Four Corners Carbon Offset Fund to encourage the reduction of our carbon footprint at home and at work. With each program they improve air quality, reduce the dependence on dirty fossil fuels, reduce water and energy consumption, and contribute to a thriving, sustainable future in the region.
Sustainability Alliance of Southwest Colorado (SASCO) 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.
SASCO works to incorporate sustainability into local community activities in Southwest Colorado. Over the years, the Sustainability Alliance of SW Colorado has worked in a variety of capacities, including supporting projects for the first one-two years of their formation like Four Core, Local First, Farm to School, the La Plata Electric Association (LPEA) Board of Directors Election Campaigns, and Green Expo. We have also hosted many educational events, films and documentaries.
SASCO now primarily tracks and pushes for action on sustainability efforts with the City of Durango, La Plata County, the Durango Tourism Office, and the Durango 9-R School District. We also act as a sustainability HUB to connect and network organizations within the community through our local sustainability events calendar, our Facebook page, the SASCO Website and newsletter , and monthly Green Drinks.
During SASCO’s portion of Green Drinks, we’ll be hearing from some of the city council candidates.
Ballots are due Tuesday, April 4 by 7PM - Ballots have been mailed and if you have not received your ballot by Monday, March 20, please contact the County Clerk at (970) 382-6296. The Clerk's office is closed on Fridays and weekends.
Mail your ballots with a stamp no later than Monday, March 28th. After March 28, return your ballot to a drop box before Tuesday, April 4 at 7 PM. Ballot drop boxes located at these Durango locations:
La Plata County Clerk & Recorder 679 Turner Dr. Ste C
Durango City Hall 949 E 2nd Ave.
Fort Lewis Community Concert Hall 1000 Rim Dr.
La Plata County Administration Building 1101 E 2nd Ave.
A public hearing and final vote whether or not to proceed with the Energy Performance Contract will go before City Council during the April 4 regular meeting starting at 5:30pm. Public Hearing on the financing options for the EPC will be heard later in the evening. This is the last chance for citizens to voice their opinion on the EPC and the resulting energy savings and renewable solar energy. Public comment during the financing public hearing is just as important as public comment on the EPC in general.
The City will be offering e-bike rebates in the coming months. Applications to receive a rebate voucher open April 17 and close May 12. More info visit: https://www.durangogov.org/1688/E-Bike-Rebates
The City's Spring Cleaning will happen in April. Find out more here.
The City of Durango is seeking public feedback on the benefits and drawbacks of Spring and Fall Cleanup services. Residents are asked to fill out a short 5-minute survey to rank the pros and cons of the current service structure and to provide their thoughts on possible alternatives. For more information on the fall and spring cleanup, please visit the city’s website.
Applications for Durango Green Grants for 2023 are set to open to business, non-profit organizations, and community organizations in early March. A total of $25,000 in grant funding is available. More info visit: https://www.durangogov.org/1615/Green-Durango-Grants
A donation of 49 acres adjacent to the Oxbow Preserve was supported by City Council through a resolution directing the city manager to close on the acquisition, which may extend the Animas River Trail. City staff will initiate a Phase 1 Environmental Assessment, expected to be completed in 2-3 weeks. After that, preparation of closing documents and process are anticipated to take an additional 4-6 weeks, for an anticipated completion date no later than June 1, 2023.
The city’s partner that will convert the Best Western Motel into affordable housing has purchased the property. TWG Development, LLC, will rehabilitate the existing 72-room motel at 21382 U.S. Highway 160 and construct 48 new units, resulting in a 120-unit vibrant affordable housing apartment community called Residences at Durango. The development will serve households earning 30% to 60% of the Area Median Income.
The state Department of Local Affairs awarded the City of Durango $120,000 to promote innovative solutions for the development of affordable housing. The money will be used to modernize and improve the city’s Fair Share Ordinance and administration of the program, which includes a housing feasibility study and other housing program policy work.
Four Corners Office of Resource Efficiency (4CORE),
Animas View Mobile Home Park, and;
Manna Soup Kitchen.
Durango Mesa Park Foundation and the City of Durango have announced plans to start work on a new mountain biking trail project this April. The joint effort with the City, Durango Mesa Park Foundation, Durango Trails, AJ Construction and other local builders will include five new trails and improvements to the trailhead for Horse Gulch.
City Councilors have directed staff to seek ways to enhance the city's customer service by consolidating various departments into a centrally located Civic Center at the former Durango School District 9-R property, which encompasses the former administration building at 201 E. 12th St., and Big Picture High School at 215 E. 12th St. Existing buildings such as City Hall, River City Hall, the Police Department and Carnegie are space-constrained, have limited seating and outdated technology. The potential repurposing of the historic property may also include community space. Click here to view the presentation at the 3-14-23 open house or on the image to the right.
City Council Meetings
Durango City Council meets every other Tuesday from 5:30-8:30PM. Upcoming City Council meetings will be on Tuesday, April 4 and 18 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.
La Plata County values the over 200 volunteers serving on its 38 boards and commissions. Openings are available. A new newsletter provides a way to connect and it’s aptly named, “Of the People, By the People, For the People.” Find it here.
Update to Chapter 90, Oil and Gas Regulations - La Plata County staff has been working on a rewrite of the Oil and Gas Regulations (Chapter 90) in the Land Use Code. The public is encouraged to continue engaging in this process; the Board of County Commissioners will hold its first public hearing on the latest draft revision at 10 a.m. Tuesday, April 18 with subsequent meetings, if necessary, scheduled for Wednesday, April 26 and Tuesday, May 2. The latest draft and all public comment to date can be found here.
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
Omicron-specific COVID-19 booster shots are in La Plata and Archuleta counties! Upcoming CDPHE mobile vaccine clinics: mobilevax.us/southwest and additional clinic locations and providers are available at sjbpublichealth.org/covid-19-vaccine/. For questions about vaccine types, safety and eligibility: 1-877-268-2926.
La Plata Electric Association
Updates
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, April 12 at 9:00 a.m. Input from Coop members is always welcome. Comments or questions to the board can be made shortly after 9 a.m.
February 8, 2023: Application period opens for the LPEA Board of Directors
April 10, 2023: Applications due to LPEA
May 3, 2023: Ballots mailed to all LPEA members
June 7, 2023: Ballots due
June 8, 2023: LPEA Annual Meeting – election results announced
June 14, 2023: First board meeting for new directors
June 19, 2023: Final Director Candidate Financial Disclosure Forms due
Durango School District 9-R
At the February meeting the School Board passed a resolution on sustainability and committing all new buildings and major renovations to be high performance.
The Soil Lab is up at Riverview and moving forward. 9-R has partnered with the City or Durango to hire a part time garden manager and things are on track for an active community garden beds this spring.
Durango 9R Board of Education meetings are generally held on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month starting at 5:30. 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.
You can read more about what's "in the news" for 9-R here and board meeting recaps 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.
