County to ask voters about tax in November but City will probably not

The La Plata Board of County Commissioners plan to ask voters to reallocate the Lodgers Tax this November.  The question will likely ask if the County will be allowed to use a significant portion of the tax to provide childcare programs and affordable housing opportunities for the tourism-related workforce, seasonal workers, and other workers in

Special legislative session to start on August 26th

Gov. Jared Polis has called Colorado Legislature back for a special session beginning  at 10 a.m. on Aug. 26th to pass an expanded property-tax-relief package and avoid a ballot showdown on the subject. Initiative 50, which already has been certified for the ballot, would cap annual statewide increases in property-tax revenue at 4% and require

County to Update Land Use Code

La Plata County’s sketch plan process is designed to help developers and planners determine basically if a project is the right use in the right place without having to go through a full planning process. But public feedback has been that while it has some value, the process is taking too long and costing too

Groups to Take a Deeper Look at Downtown Next Steps

The City of Durango has developed a focus group to analyze responses to a survey about the Downtown Next Steps project. The group will be meeting in late July and early August.  The preliminary results of a survey the Durango Chamber of Commerce, Local First and Business Improvement District issued recently about Downtown’s Next Step

2024 Local Election Information

Election Information General Election is November 5th, 2024 Register to vote online in Colorado up to 8 days before election You can vote early in Colorado from 15 days before the election, right up to election day. Register to vote in person at the County Clerk’s office up to and including election day. House District

La Plata County Finances and Land Use Code

La Plata County Sales Tax Sales tax collections for February show an increase of $19,098 or 1.02% in comparison to the same period in 2023. Sales tax collections for March show a decrease of -$20,509 or -.99% in comparison to the same period in 2023. La Plata County Lodgers Tax In 2022, new legislation expanded

What’s Happening In Durango and At Durango City Council

Durango City Council Updates City Council voted 3 to 1 to direct staff to pursue the reauthorization of the city’s 2005 ½-cent sales tax with no increase  included in the draft ballot language. There is a proposed  increase in  the sunset period of the sales tax from 20 to 30 years. Councilor Gilda Yazzie voted

2024 Election Information

Primary Ballots go out June 3rd; State Primary Election is June 25th General Election is November 5th, 2024 La Plata County Primary Election FAQ: https://cms9files.revize.com/laplatacounty/Primary%20Election%20FAQ%20June%202024.pdf  House District 59  Ignacio Mayor Clark Craig (R) Total Contributions: $13,496.98 Durango resident and school board member Katie Stewart (D) Total Contributions: $25,187.20 Senate District 6 Incumbent Cleave Simpson (R)

Durango City Council May Updates

May 7th was the first reading of an ordinance to update the Land Use and Development Code regarding the Fair Share (Inclusionary Zoning) Program.  Key objectives include: Extending the program to include rental developments Incentivizing developers to construct units rather than paying the fee in lieu  Simplifying the program Durango City Council approved a resolution

Colorado Legislature Update on Passed Bills

All passed bills Polis has until June 7 to sign or veto bills passed by the Legislature. Energy & Environment SB24-214: Implement State Climate Goals – Concerning the implementation of state climate goals, and, in connection therewith, making and reducing an appropriation. SB24-229: Ozone Mitigation Measures – Concerning measures to mitigate ozone pollution in the