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Lunch & Learn: Entrepreneurship & Climate Change Innovation

Local First, in partnership with Good Business Colorado and other organizations across the state, are hosting a “Helping Good Businesses Be Better” Lunch & Learn Series.

Join us for the first Lunch & Learn session June 22nd in Durango, Colorado or participate virtually!

This interactive lunch & learn event will feature businesses with innovative products and services that help companies improve their environmental impact. Attendees will walk away inspired and aware of concrete actions they can take to combat climate change.

Lunch and networking begins at 11:30am at the Fort Lewis Center for Innovation with our program, “Entrepreneurship & Climate Change Innovation – it’s about so much more than energy” beginning promptly at 12:00pm.

Watch Now: Local First Launches La Plata County Impact Fund

Earlier this month Local First Foundation officially launched the La Plata County Impact Fund—an initiative led by community business owners to address social equity and systemic issues residents of La Plata County are facing. Thanks to Durango Local News for covering the Impact Fund and our recent support of the Westside Mobile Home Park Co-op. Watch now.

Clean Commute Week
June 11-16th

Clean Commute Week is here! Join the city for a celebration of walking, rolling, biking, riding the bus and carpooling around Durango.

Participate in the Business Commuter Challenge! The challenge will last one week, from June 8th to June 14th, with awards and prizes presented during the Love Your Commute Celebration at Ska on Thursday, June 16th from 5-7 PM!

To sign up for the challenge email Tommy Crosby with your organization name, team leader, and total number of employees no later than Friday, June 3rd.

Rohwer Family Benefit Dinner
June 16th | 5:30 PM

Pleasant View Fire Department will host a Benefit Dinner on June 16th to support the Rohwer Family, a beloved local family and Durango Farmers Market members who have experienced tragic loss and injuries. The evening will feature dinner, dessert, live auction, and more. Dinner is $5 a plate and doors open at 5:30pm.

Learn more ways to support the Rohwer Family here and by visiting the Durango Farmers Market Facebook Page.

In The Weeds Annual Fundraiser
June 25th | 5 - 7 PM

In the Weeds invites YOU to their First Annual Fundraiser—Restaurant Neighbors Serving with Purpose! On June 25th at Union Social House join In The Weeds for community education, hors d'oeuvres, and drinks! There will be a large assortment of delicious bites created by local restaurants and a selection of beer, wine, and non-alcoholic "mocktails".

In the Weeds is a local non-profit that creates opportunities for our local Restaurant and Hotel Industry Workforce to increase accessibility to resources needed for a healthy, happy, sustainable life. Learn more and purchase your ticket here...

Council adopts citizen-initiated land use ordinance

At a special meeting Thursday the Durango City council approved a citizen-initiated ordinance to amend the city’s land use codes to allow for public hearings when protective services, like police and fire, try to develop in the Central Business District. This ordinance was brought to council by the community group Citizens Voice, which received over 1,000 signatures petitioning for this ordinance. Read more...

Arts and Culture Funding available through Lodgers Tax revenue

Durango residents looking to share the diverse cultures of the region with their community and bring art to public spaces can now apply for funding through the city’s Lodger’s Tax: Arts and Culture fund.

There will be two funding cycles in 2022, with deadlines to apply being June 30, 2022, and Aug. 31, 2022. The details of the LTAC funding request can be found in an application available in both English and Spanish on the City’s website. Read more...

Be Local Radio Show is LIVE on KDUR (91.9FM and 93.9FM) every Thursday at 9am! Be sure to tune in for the best local stories, features, and news. Find the following episodes and more by visiting Local First's Soundcloud.

EP 180: Durango's Sustainability Plan

Sarah Tober and Marty Pool dive into the newly drafted Sustainability Plan for the City of Durango—how it differs from the 2015 Municipal Sustainability Action Plan, what it means for the City, what it means for community members, and what the plan hopes to achieve for future generations.

EP 178: The Story of Westside

Alejandra Chavez, resident and now the property manager of Westside Mobile Home Park shares the story of Westside Mobile Home Park on the Be Local Radio Show. Tune in to learn about Alejandra and her neighbor's process of forming a co-op, reaching out to the public for support, and the impact recent purchase of the Westside Mobile Park has and will have on the 58 families that call the park home.

EP 178: Citizens Voice

Greg Hoch shares with us the major growth Durango has seen over the last few decades. He dives into the coming together of Citizens Voice admist the sale of the former 9-R Admin building and their petition proposing an ordinance to allow for a more robust public process for development decisions in City Limits made by our community's protective services.

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