Development News for Durango, Colorado

Durango Nears Depletion of Renew Grant Funds; Two New Applications Considered

Tommy Crosby, Economic Opportunity Manager, provided an update on Renew grant applications. Two applications totaling just over $4,500 are up for consideration at the upcoming regular council meeting. The Renew grant process is designed for quick turnaround, bypassing committee review for direct council consideration due to lower dollar amounts. The city is nearing exhaustion of its 2026 Renew Grant budget, expecting to deplete funds in July or August based on current interest. Past precedents for Renew Grants include parking lot improvements, such as the paving of the Strider Hotel's gravel lot.

Durango Explores New Policies to Boost Organic Waste Diversion

The city is exploring options for managing organic waste, including food scraps and yard trimmings, through the STEPS program, with assistance from Resource Recycling Systems (RS) and Eocycle. The project aims to increase organic diversion from landfills, which constitute a significant portion of Colorado's waste. Policy options being considered include mandatory residential and commercial organics collection, an organics diversion requirement, and operational improvements. Community engagement through stakeholder interviews, a focus group, and a survey has been conducted. Preliminary results show support for more regular curbside collection and operational improvements, with mixed but generally positive sentiment towards mandatory programs if costs are managed. The final report will be presented in September for council to decide on future direction.

Immigration Task Force Proposes Recommendations for Enhanced Inclusion and Safety in Durango

The Immigration Task Force has presented a set of recommendations to the city council focused on promoting safety, inclusion, dignity, and community trust for all immigrants in Durango. Key recommendations include launching a public awareness campaign, establishing a welcome program with educational workshops, creating two bilingual community connector positions, revamping the city's immigrant-friendly resolution, and developing a peaceful protest guide. The task force emphasized the vital economic and social contributions of immigrants to Durango and the need for enhanced communication and collaboration between immigrant communities and city institutions. Some recommendations have budget implications, such as the proposed community connector roles, while others focus on improving existing communication and partnership strategies.