Putting local, first, since 2008!
Local First brings together 200+ local businesses and nonprofit organizations as well as passionate community members we call Localists. Our vision is a thriving, equitable, and sustainable economy that values the triple bottom line — people, the planet, and prosperity — for everyone across southwest Colorado.
In 2026, we consolidated our work under the umbrella of the Local First Foundation, a 501c3 nonprofit with a mission to build local self-reliance, sense of place, and well-being for the residents of La Plata County and southwest Colorado.
Anyone who has visited southwest Colorado can recognize that it’s a unique place. What makes it possible for so many people to thrive in our rural region is our strong community of local, independent businesses who attract tourists, provide jobs, and recirculate dollars into the local economy. Local First works hard to support our local independent business community so our region can flourish for years to come.
But why does local AND independent matter?
“Local” means that the business physically resides in La Plata County. Rather than representing businesses with presences across the nation or on the front range, our alliance represents businesses that face our community’s challenges and act as a part of the solution.
“Independent” matters because it means that the owners also live in La Plata County and are not part of a national chain, giving these owners full authority to make decisions relevant to the people that live here. We ask that people use our members first, not “local only” or “local or nothing”.
Local First Foundation Staff
Board of Directors
Claire Attkisson, Board Chair
Jeanne Randazzo Szczech, Vice Chair
THINK LOCAL, FIRST!
By making your purchases at a locally owned independent business, you and our community benefit. More services provided by our local government can help lighten your personal load and improve your quality of life. For this reason, Local First fights to support and strengthen the mom-and-pop culture of La Plata County.
If you think about all of the great locally owned, independent businesses in our community, you think about your neighbor or your friend. When you purchase goods and services from an independent business, you are communicating with someone who knows your needs, can relate to your experiences and can give you the best and most honest advice.
