The voice of La Plata's Local, Independent Business Community!

Not yet a member of Local First's value-driven business coalition? Joining is easy!

Join our Board of Directors!

Are you interested in being more involved with Local First’s work and helping to steer the Local Movement in La Plata County?

There are open seats on both Local First and Local First Foundation boards and we would love you to join us!

For more information and to apply, please email director@local-first.org.

Tell Your Story in the Upcoming Local Lowdown!

In partnership with the Durango Telegraph, Local First offers our members a variety of collaborative marketing opportunities at a reasonable cost in our quarterly Local Lowdown publication.

View our Marketing Opportunities

Our Spring edition of the Local Lowdown will hit the shelves Thursday, May 6th and space is limited. Contact louise@local-first.org to secure your spot!

Durango Earth Day Celebration
April 23rd | 11 AM-3 PM

Happening Tomorrow!!

Join 4CORE and organizations through out the Durango community— including Local First—for a Earth Day Celebration on Saturday, April 23rd at Rotary Park! You will find live music, kids' activities, food, electric vehicle demos, and more.

You won't want to miss this free and family-friendly event. See you there!

Event Details.

Durango Nature Center is Reopening!
April 24th | 9AM

Join the San Juan Mountain Association for the reopening of the Nature Center on Sunday, April 24th! Acquired in 1998 by Durango Nature Studies, the Nature Center provides 140 acres of hiking trails through a variety of ecosystems. River play, picnic pavilion, interpretive trails, nesting bird walk. Fun for the whole family!

From 9AM - 2PM, you're invited to come explore SJMA’s Nature Center with interpretive hikes and family-friendly education stations. Don't forget your hiking shoes, picnic lunch, and water bottle! Learn more...

Durango Green Drinks
April 28th | 5-7PM

Join fellow sustainable-minded community members on Thursday, April 28th from 5-7PM at 11th Street Station for the first Durango Green Drinks of 2022.

Hosts this month are the Sustainability Alliance of Southwest Colorado and Turtle Lake Refuge.

RSVP on Facebook.

Leadership La Plata Now Accepting Applications

LLP brings together those committed to making a difference in La Plata County and develops these individuals into the doers of our community. The shared experience creates lasting connections and collaborative action, all while leaning into the landscape, businesses and people that make our hometown welcoming and resilient.

For more information or to apply for the program, visit LeadershipLaPlata.org. Applications due May 31st.

Maria's Bookshop is hiring!

Maria’s Bookshop offers a fun, passionate work environment where community connection is the foundation of everything they do.

Join their team of wonderful individuals who love books and have a passion for cultivating community through outstanding customer service. Maria's will be accepting applications until the positions are filled.

Learn more.

ILSR's 2022 Independent Business Survey Results

In January 2022, the Institute for Local Self-Reliance surveyed 908 small, independent businesses across the U.S. The organization asked about the challenges facing independent businesses and the policies they believe would improve the survival and success of small businesses.

Topping the list of challenges were three issues that all have to do with the unchecked exercise of market power by dominant corporations:

• 65% of respondents rated as a top challenge the fact that their big competitors strongarm suppliers, winning special discounts, while forcing suppliers to charge independent businesses more.
• 62% of businesses said Amazon’s control over the online market was a very or extremely significant challenge.
• 58% of businesses reported that a major challenge is that their big competitors sell goods and services below cost, which is a predatory tactic designed to take market share from small rivals without having to compete for it.

Learn more and read the entire report here.

Residents Rally Round Petition to Call for Public Forum

A group of residents have started a petition that would call for a public forum to allow public input on the proposed new fire station in downtown Durango.

“As it stands, there has never been a public forum or the opportunity for the public to ask questions and receive answers,” Greg Hoch, who is part of Citizens Voice Durango, which is organizing the petition, said. Read more in the Durango Telegraph...

Colorado 2022-23 Budget Breakdown

As the Colorado legislature is finalizing the fiscal year 2022-23 budget, learn more about details within the document that give insight into the present and future of Colorado with The Bell Policy Center. Read full Bell Policy Center article...