House District 59 Election

Ignacio Mayor Clark Craig (R) is running for House District 59, currently held by Barbara McLachlan (D), who is term-limited. Craig was elected Mayor of the Town of Ignacio in 2022. Before this, he served as chair of the Town of Ignacio Planning Commission. He is the Vice Chair of the La Plata County Planning

Colorado legislators pass new bills in Special Session

Special Session New Bills Senate Bill 23B-1: Property tax relief for Colorado homeowners: will reduce the residential assessment rate for the 2023 tax year to 6.7% from 6.765%. Also, homeowners will be able exempt $55,000 of their home’s value from taxation.  Senate Bill 23B-2: Opting into a federal food assistance program: will provide up to

Information from the Forest Lakes Metro District

Owners Associations and Covenants: Forest Lakes does not have a Property Owners Association. As well, regarding covenants, this last October, the FLMD Board of Directors passed Resolution 2023-05 that contained the following: The Forest Lakes Metropolitan District Board of Directors adopts the following positions:  The District does not currently have the legal authority to enforce

Durango, Bayfield, Ignacio break ground on affordable housing projects

Durango City Council approved a modified finance structure for Residences at Durango this month. The project will convert the former 72-room Best Western Motel at 21382 US Highway 160 into affordable housing and construct 48 new units. The development will serve households earning 30% to 60% of the Area Median Income with a mix of

Durango Planning Commission approves reconfiguration of Planning Commission, Design Review Board and Board of Adjustment

The Durango Planning Commission (PC) recommended  approval of the creation of a Community Development Commission (CDC).  If approved by City Council, this means reconfiguring the Planning Commission, the Design Review Board, and the Board of Adjustment.  The CDC is proposed to have 7 members and one alternate member.   The PC also recommended approval to updates

Durango Chamber and others join opposition to Proposition HH

Proposition HH is a complex proposal that is on the November ballot. It modifies or reduces taxation rates and exemptions for multiple types of property while at the same time increases taxes by allowing the state to retain more tax revenue. The Colorado Association of REALTORS®, Club 20, and the Durango Chamber of Commerce Board

Durango Below-Market Rental Units

The Gauge Apartments at 1275 Escalante Drive will include 89 multi-family apartments which are scheduled to be finished in August. Fourteen of the units – one and two-bedroom – will be rented below market on a first come first serve basis. Applications can be submitted online at www.gaugedurango.com or by phone at (970) 730-2523.

Elected Officials Stop in Durango on Listening Tour About Housing

Representative Barbara McLachlan and Senator Jeff Bridges visited Durango on a listening tour about housing. They visited Dove Creek, Cortez, Mancos, Durango, Silverton, Bayfield and Pagosa Springs.  In Durango, Bridges and McLachlan heard from city and La Plata County elected officials and city staff about local housing issues. Durango City Councilor Melissa Youssef called the

La Plata County Short Term Rental Regulations Will Not Change Right Away

If the Board of County Commissioners decides to regulate Short Term Rentals (STRs) in the unincorporated county, it won’t happen this year, since the County staff is focused on standing up a new health department by January 1st.  La Plata County hired a company to survey residents to determine whether STRs are a problem in