Working with La Plata County's independent business community to shape an economy that values people, planet, and prosperity.

Happy Women's History Month!

La Plata County wouldn't be the same without the amazing local women in making their impact in our community. DYK—53.4% of Local First Members are Women-Owned (according to recent member survey data)!

Haven't filled out the survey, yet? We want to hear from you! Local First's annual member survey helps us better understand your business's needs so we can better serve you. Tell us more about who you are, and potentially win a gift card, by filling out our survey linked below.

Choose Indie Sustainable!

Happy B-Corp Month! From March 1 to March 31, the Choose Indie Sustainable Month campaign celebrates B Corps, cooperatives, and other triple-bottom-line enterprises. By working together, our communities make take positive action and boost the ripple effects our local region receives when we choose to support independent, local business.

Durango First Friday: Celebrate Durango's Creative Side!

In partnership with Durango Creative District and the Art Room Collective, Local First invites all folks to celebrate our community's creative spirit EVERY first Friday of each month.

All and any kind of business is welcome to participate. We hope you will join in on the fun by hosting an artist, musician, performer, or artisan at your business.

Learn more by visiting our website!

Support Our Work!

Outside of community-loved programs like Be Local Coupon Book, First Friday, and Noel Night, Local First is hard at work shaping solutions that address community wellbeing and business prosperity. We are grateful for our community partners in this work, and are equally grateful for YOU and your investment in our organization.

By uniting our member's voices, Local First aims to create a greater impact on our local-level and state-level decision-making processes. We are working together to create oppurtunities for the community to vote with their dollars and invest in a movement that means something to them, that allows them to be a part of the vision they want to create for our futures. We can't do this you.

Downtown Colorado Inc coming to Durango!

Get ready for Downtown Colorado Inc.'s interactive IN THE GAME conference happening April 2-5 in Durango. The first half is a deep dive into problem solving for communities, and the second half will feature cutting edge ideas around what is coming next for downtowns and our state. This unique event gets participants out of their seats and into the host community, exploring the places and projects that vibrant downtowns love to see.

DCI’s Conference App, powered by Carat, will highlight Downtown Durango and the North Main District businesses. By recieving rewards for check-ins at participating businesses, conference attendees will be encouraged to visit and spend at your business. Participating businesses simply fill out the form linked below. This form will create your listing in the app! After your listing is built, you will receive a QR code sign which allows attendees to check-in during the conference.

Start Up Colorado Funding Opportunities

Start Up Colorado grants support rural entrepreneurs that are eager to level up their business but need a financial boost to get there. With financial assistance, you can engage in business-related events or take advantage of educational opportunities that can shape the future of your business and community.

WATCH NOW: Small Business vs. Monopoly Power

Independent businesses from across the country joined this virtual town hall event to mark our progress and build momentum to rein in monopoly power and level the playing field for small, independent businesses. FTC Chair Lina Khan joined advocates and small businesses to provide a glimpse into today’s most important anti-monopoly actions and hear directly from small business owners.

Downtown Next Steps Meeting
March 14th | 5:30PM

The City of Durango will host a public meeting for the preliminary engineering design of Downtown's Next Step Phase 1 on March 14, from 5:30-7:00 p.m., at the Fort Lewis College Center for Innovation in the Main Mall, 835 Main Ave Suite 225 on the 2nd floor. The presentation will be available virtually on Zoom.

Learn more about Downtown Next Steps.

Habitat Volunteer Informational
March 14th | 5:30PM
March 15th | 9:00AM

Join Habitat for Humanity for a volunteer Q & A. Learn how you can make a difference in our community by volunteering on our next new home build project, at ReStore, or at community events.

No RSVP required. Snacks will be provided.

Women's Bilingual Diversity Panel
March 18th | 5PM

Join the Durango Public Library in a panel discussion with local women leaders. An expert panel of diverse backgrounds will provide insight of the local diversity and how to interconnect all of us to build community and collaborate to make progress towards a more equitable and healthier community for all.

Latin appetizers and aguas frecas will be provided. Bilingual Simultaneous interpretation will be provided.

How to Choose Your Marketing Channels
March 27th | 12PM

Southwest Colorado SBDC invites your to join Kate Ishay, CEO and Co-Founder of Psyche Digital as she guides you through the process to find out where to market your specific business and how to go about choosing the right channels. You will leave this class with a clear understanding of which platform your business can be best showcased and a better understanding of your target audience.

Learn more and register here.

Durango Green Drinks
March 28th | 5-7PM

Raise a glass! Connect with sustainably minded peers and catch up with local organizations at Durango Green Drinks. This month join us Thursday, March 28th from 5-7PM at 11th Street Station to hear from Durango Farmers Market, Wildfire Adapted Partnership, and Turtle Lake Refuge.

Event details.

Virtual Screening: WORKS FOR ALL
March 29th - March 31st

AMIBA invites you to a free virtual screening of the film WORKS FOR ALL, focusing on worker-owned cooperatives, from March 29 to March 31 at 11:45 p.m. ET.

This documentary highlights the work of Co-op Cincy. Since 2011, Co-op Cincy has inspired a network of worker-owned cooperatives in Cincinnati to create a regional economy that works for all.

Film and discussion tickets are free and available at worksforall.eventive.org, thanks to event co-hosts, American Independent Business Alliance and Monadnock International Film Festival, and event sponsors Littleton Food Co-op, Monadnock Food Co-op, and The Local Crowd Monadnock.

Save the Date: Southwest Housing Conference
April 30th | Durango, CO

The Regional Housing Alliance of La Plata County invites the Southwest Colorado housing community to their first annual Southwest Housing Conference. This conference will take place on April 30th at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Durango, Co.

This conference will engage the development community, including developers, builders, realtors, and community leaders, in a conversation on available tools, funding streams, stronger public-private partnerships, and the need and role of a sustainable local funding source.

Contact Sarah Schwartz for more information.

LPEA Secures $13.4 Million in Funding from USDA for Clean and Affordable Local Energy Projects

LPEA’s proposed project will support the local construction of 5 megawatts (MW) of solar generation and a 5MW/20MWh battery. This funding will propel LPEA's efforts toward advancing affordable, clean energy initiatives, increasing resiliency, and expanding local generation. Read more...

La Plata County Public Health: Guiding Community Wellness

La Plata County Public Health Department plays a crucial role in safeguarding the community's well-being. Beyond behavioral health and communicable disease prevention, the department oversees on-site water testing, waste management, and rigorous restaurant inspections. Watch Local News Network...