Here is your March Chamber Connection Newsletter!

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Durango, You Truly Rock!

Behind every thriving community is a camaraderie of businesses, nonprofits and individuals who are dedicated to making a difference and paying it forward. And Durango is fortunate to have so many incredible community contributors, but so often, these entities fly under the radar and are selflessly doing what is best for others without recognition.

The Durango Chamber is proud to host the Durango Rocks Annual Awards event, honoring and celebrating local businesses and community leaders by presenting 12 prestigious awards. Last Thursday night was filled with excitement as we acknowledged the outstanding achievements of our exceptional nominees who are local businesses, community leaders and nonprofit organizations that are making a difference and positively contributing to our economy. Reviewing the list of recipients, you’ll undoubtedly think of something they have done for our community (scroll down for list of awards recipients).

Each recipient exemplifies integrity, accountability, and resourcefulness. The diverse perspectives and experiences provide our community with an opportunity to thrive and succeed.

As we continue to change and evolve, the Durango Rocks program is a time to celebrate. It serves as a reminder we can reach new goals and accomplish our dreams. And as part of that success, contribute making a difference. Find your passion and remember to give back and mentor others so they too can follow their passion.

I also want to thank the Durango Chamber staff, without them, none of this could happen. Kim Oyler produced and directed the evening. Jennifer Dickens’ creativity welcomed the attendees with a year in review presentation and she designed the night’s program. And our newest team member, Madison Anderson-Oles handled social media, video assets and so many behind the scenes details. Thank you all for your dedication not only to the Chamber and Durango Rocks, but to our 700 members helping their businesses thrive.

Durango Rocks is more than an awards program, it’s a chance to embrace the human spirit and the opportunities that arise as we collaborate to help one another, putting our differences aside.

Throughout the year as you experience exceptional service or know someone who goes above and beyond, I invite you to nominate them. Simply go to durangobusiness.org and nominate. Let’s continue celebrating those that make Durango Rock.

CONGRATULATIONS TO DURANGO ROCKS RECIPIENTS!

CITIZENS OF THE YEAR

DR. JOE MURPHY

SPIRIT OF THE YEAR

HAPPY PAPPY'S PIZZA N WINGS

BUSINESS OF THE YEAR

DURANGO NURSERY

SMALL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR

DESERT SUN COFFEE ROASTERS

ED MORLAN ENTREPRENEUR

OF THE YEAR

ELIZABETH PHILBRICK

ESOTERRA CIDERWORKS

OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION

TO THE COMMUNITY

MARC & JANE KATZ (accepting the award is Briggen Wrinkle & Moira Compton)

BILL MASHAW VOLUNTEER

OF THE YEAR

FRED REIDINGER

THANK YOU TO OUR OUTGOING

BOARD MEMBERS

REBEKAH CLICK, MATT GOMEZ

& DIANA MURRAY

NON-PROFIT OF THE YEAR

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ALLIANCE

MORLEY BALLANTINE WOMEN'S LEADERSHIP AWARD

LATITIA TAYLOR

Congratulations to the Following Durango Rocks Awards Recipients!

Diplomat of the Year, recipient: Nora Stafford

selected by the Durango Diplomats

The Chamber Diplomats are a group of ambassadors for the Durango Chamber who volunteer for programs and events, celebrate business milestones, and assist with member outreach. One of the requirements of being a Diplomat is that you must attend a minimum of 50 percent of all the required events. Most of the Diplomats far exceed this, including Nora Stafford who earned extra credit and finished the year with 267% of the activities accomplished. Nora was an educator in the Durango School District for 31 years and is now retired. She currently works at the Visit Durango Welcome Center, volunteers on various boards, and is a Durango Diplomat. She is an avid recreationalist who loves to hike, paddleboard, and snow ski.

Learn more about getting involved with the Diplomat Program here .

Young Professional of the Year, recipient: Rebekah Click, Durango Motor Company selected by YPOD Award Selection Committee

The Young Professional of the Year Award is given to someone who exemplifies leadership, demonstrates strong teamwork, and exhibits integrity. They must be under 40 years of age and a member of the Chamber and YPODs.

Rebekah Click is the immediate past president of the Young Professionals and has served on the YPOD board since 2020. She served as president during the pandemic and kept the program growing. She is skilled at organizing, mobilizing, connecting, and befriending those around her. Her dedication and tenacity are unmatched.

Rebekah worked closely with the board and the Chamber and continues to do so to this day. Rebekah not only gave every effort to growing the Young Professionals, but also stepped into an open board position on the Chamber board, demonstrating her commitment and enthusiasm for the community.

She has a passion for volunteering her time with various nonprofits and is constantly encouraging others to do the same. Her dedication to both professional excellence and community betterment is an inspiration.

Leadership La Plata Barbara Conrad Award, recipient, Natambu Obleton, Cisco selected by past Barbara Conrad Leadership La Plata Award recipients

The Barbara Conrad Leadership Award is given each year to a Leadership La Plata graduate who models a commitment to the community through consistent leadership.

Natambu Obleton’s dedication to Leadership La Plata is remarkable, volunteering with LLP every year since graduating from the program, chairing committees, and providing immense support to all recent classes as the Leadership Coordinator.

He attends alumni events, and fundraisers, and is always advocating for LLP.

In addition to LLP involvement, Natambu participates in other community events and has served on the La Plata County Fair board for 18 years, the Rotary Club for 20 years, and several other organizations.

Thank you to the Durango Rocks Awards Selection Committee!

Dana McCreary, TBK Bank

Heather Erb, Destination DRO Real Estate

Jim Wotkyns

John Mahoney

Joseph Kuzma, LPC Boys & Girls Club

Kermitt Barrett, Tosch & Associates

Lynn Urban, United Way

Neil Dolder, Jaynes Corp

Rebekah Click, Durango Motor Company

Sidny Zink, FredrickZink & Associates

Dr. Steve Elias, Katz School of Business at Fort Lewis College

Tim Walsworth, Business Improvement District

Open House Business After Hours March 21!

The Durango Chamber is excited to announce an Open House Business After Hours on Thursday, March 21 from 5-7pm at the Chamber, 2301 Main Avenue. This event offers members an opportunity to delve deeper into our programs and initiatives. Join us to explore:

Leadership La Plata – empowering leaders, enriching community, shaping the future
Young Professionals of Durango – connect, empower, and engage
Chamber Diplomats – ambassadors celebrating, engaging & fostering Durango’s business community
Leads Referral Program – quality referrals, professional growth, and networking

A knowledgeable team of individuals from each of these programs will be on hand to provide insights and answer any questions. Don’t miss the chance to engage with the business community and unlock the full potential of your membership! FREE to all members! Door prizes are generously provided by Star Liquors!

RSVP Here

Eggs & Issues: State of the Community Forum – Tuesday, March 26 8am -10am

Engage with City & County officials, plus representatives from the Regional Housing Alliance. Gain crucial insights into pressing issues affecting the business community, such as workforce housing. Each presenter will delve into significant achievements from the past, and major milestones for the present and future.

Learn more as they shed light on pivotal projects influencing our future, contribute to meaningful dialogue and drive positive change in our community’s future.

Register by Mar. 19 & SAVE with an early registration discount. This forum will be held at the Holiday Inn & Suites, 21636 Hwy 160 West.

Reserve Your Seat

Lunch & Learn Workshop – How PR Can Help Your Small Business Reach a Wider Audience!

Join us on March 27th for an enriching Lunch & Learn Workshop with Verde Brand Communications. Discover the power of public relations to expand your business’s reach. With more than 20 years of experience, Verde Brand Communications will illustrate case studies from notable clients like Tailwind Nutrition and Iron Horse Bicycle Classic. Don’t miss this opportunity to elevate your brand presence.

Registration starts at $15 (add lunch for only $10).

NEW! Delicious lunch options include soup, salad or sandwich from Farm to Fingers

Reserve Your Spot!

Mornings at El Moro! Networking & Learning Series!

Join us on the first Tuesday of the month for an engaging networking and educational program from 7:45 to 9am at El Moro Spirits & Tavern. Connect with community peers, participate in a 25-minute learning session presented by a community leader, organization, or business. Showcase your best elevator pitch in this revamped morning mingle.

Don’t miss the complimentary coffee by 81301 and the chance to savor a delicious El Moro breakfast burrito – the perfect start to your day! Brought to you by the Durango Chamber of Commerce and El Moro Spirits & Tavern.

Check out DurangoBusiness.org for details & to order your breakfast burrito.

Tuesday, April 2 Four CORE – Green Business Certification!

FREE Registration Apr 2

Save the Date for Mornings at El Moro!

Tuesday, May 7th

Tuesday, June 4th

Tuesday, August 6th

Tuesday, Sept 10th

Tuesday, Oct. 1st

Tuesday, Nov. 5th

Common Spirit-Mercy Hospital: A Legacy of Compassionate Care, Innovation, and Sustainable Growth in Durango's Healthcare Landscape

By Sara Lynn Valentine

Mercy Hospital was established in the new town of Durango in 1882, by the local Sisters of Mercy of St Joseph's Convent. Originally housed in the same building as the convent, Mercy Hospital has undergone many remodels and expansions over the years, and in 2006 was relocated to Three Springs.

Today, it is a state of-the-art, acute care and level 3 trauma center, listed among the top five percent of hospitals in the nation for ‘Outstanding Patient Experience’ for nine years in a row.

“We are nationally ranked as a five-star hospital,” says Brandon Mencini, who became Mercy’s CEO in October 2022. Throughout his two-decade career in the healthcare industry Brandon has had a passion for exceptional patient care. “One of the reasons I chose to come to Durango is because of the legacy of care here. We are really proud of the high-quality scores we have earned.”

Mercy is not only the oldest hospital in the Four Corners region, its helicopter flight-for-life service was started in 1972, making it the oldest helicopter service west of the Mississippi. Mercy also offers fixed-wing (airplane) transport.

In addition to his passion for patients, Brandon is deeply committed to sustainable growth strategies for his team and the community. “Mercy Hospital has been growing in all the metrics year over year - admissions, ER visits, surgeries - so we must also focus on physician recruitment,” Brandon says.

“We recently filled a ton of key positions that had been open. We now have eight cardiologists and will likely have ten by the end of the year. We’re offering new procedures, including a focus on robotics, that were not offered in the past,” Brandon continued. “We’re recruiting top talent and now, for example, can offer endovascular procedures. Patients can have clots removed here, whereas previously they would have to be flown to the Front Range. More people are staying in our service area than ever before.”

To meet the growing needs of its service area, Mercy broke ground on a new medical office building last October. The first floor will have an ambulatory surgery center, where surgeries can be done on an outpatient basis, at a much lower cost. It will have three operating rooms, two procedure rooms, and one additional space that can be turned into another OR.

Please visit Mercy Hospital’s website to learn more about the many ways they serve and give back to the community.

Brandon Mencini is married to Michelle and they have two middle school age children, Nick & Gianna.

Navigating Local & State Policy Initiatives

As part of the Durango Chamber’s commitment to effective advocacy, the Legislative Affairs Committee monthly report is posted online so our members and community can stay abreast of the latest developments related to public policy on the state and local levels. Read the report here.

Girls Gone Golfing! Save the Date!

Friday, June 7, 2024 at Hillcrest Golf Club

Get ready to swing into summer at Girls Gone Golfing!

It’s time to tee up for a fantastic day of golfing, laughter, and making memories. Mark your calendar for Friday, June 7 and join us at Hillcrest Golf Club for a fun day on the fairways.

Dust off those clubs and stay tuned for registration details — coming soon!

Upcoming Chamber Programs & Events!

For more information & to register: DurangoBusiness.org

Mar. 16 12pm YPOD Volunteer Day at Community Compassion Outreach

Mar. 20 5:30pm YPOD Happy Hour at Zia Cantina North

Mar. 21 5-7pm Business After Hours – Open House at the Chamber

Mar. 26 8-10am Eggs & Issues: State of the Community with City, County and the Regional Housing Alliance – note location: Holiday Inn on Hwy 160

Mar. 27 noon-1pm Lunch & Learn How PR Can Help Your Business

Mar. 28 Ribbon Cutting: ClearNetworx 779 Tech Center Dr.

Apr. 2 7:45-9am Mornings at El Moro! Networking & Learning Series Four CORE – Learn about Green Business Certification!

What’s Happening with our Chamber Members!

Find more information here.

Daily thru Mar 31 & Apr 5-7 Winter Cascade Canyon Train D&SNGRR

Every Wednesday American Legion Trujillo Sheets Post Wednesday Luncheons

Every Friday Fresh Beer Fridays with Ska Brewing

Mar. 14-15 Habitat for Humanity Volunteer Informational Social

Mar. 27 Women's Resource Center Extraordinary Woman Award Dinner

Mar. 29 6pm Vietnam Veterans Dinner & Remembrance at VFW

Mar. 17 Four Leaves Winery - Kitchen Jam Band

Want your event listed? It’s free!

(970) 247-0312 ext 2

Check out the Chamber’s Podcast for the Durango Business Community!

The Durango Chamber of Commerce has a Podcast, Down to Business! The podcast features business and community leaders, uncovers the latest happenings, and explores our vibrant mountain town life. From entrepreneurs to upcoming events, we've got you covered. The Down to Business podcast is available on Spotify or you can follow this link.

For the latest podcast featuring Career Launch Southwest, go here.

Unlocking AI’s Magic: Insights from Dr. G

Thank you to Dr. Ivan Guardiola, professor of management at the Katz School of Business at Fort Lewis College, for his insightful presentation on AI at the Chamber’s February Lunch & Learn Workshop. His expertise shed light on leveraging AI effectively in marketing by explaining the mechanics of AI and how to create accurate prompts to get better results. We are grateful for the valuable takeaways, including navigating AI’s potential with confidence and purpose. Stay tuned for AI 2.0 Lunch & Learn Workshop – coming soon.

Thank You to the Southwest Colorado Education Collaborative for joining us!

Mornings at El Moro kicked off on Mar. 5 at El Moro Spirits & Tavern with an informative session by the Southwest Colorado Education Collaborative. They featured their initiative, Career Launch Southwest, a new virtual tool that connects businesses with students in the region to promote workforce development. Businesses and organizations can simply create a profile at CareerLaunchSW.org and help grow our region’s workforce pipeline!

Thank you to Ryan Champion and Gayle Webster for hosting the YPOD Home Buying Workshop!

Ryan Champion, with GM Mortgage, provided valuable resources for first-time or seasoned home buyers. He provided tips on navigating the purchasing experience so it's easier and streamlined.

For more information, contact Ryan Champion at 970-403-5677 or Gayle Webster with Coldwell Banker at 970-903-8815.

Now Accepting Applications!

Learn more here!

LLP Monthly Focus:

The Art of the Pivot: Adaptive Leadership Tools to Respond to Challenges and Exploit Opportunities.

By Beth Porter, Four Corners Broadcasting

Unknown interest rates and scarcity of traditional business loans. New technology. Increasing competition in the marketplace. Supply chain issues. Attracting and keeping talent.

Successful leadership has always been a balancing act between maintaining the course and navigating change. However, in today’s business climate, navigating constant, unpredictable change seems to be the norm. Adaptive leadership not only provides solutions to challenges, but it also sets up a culture where the company is always on the lookout for new opportunities for growth and innovation.

Adaptive leadership is all about the pivot. It is one of the 5 leadership trends Forbes magazine has identified for 2024. Adaptive leadership is characterized by:

Quick decision-making
Ability to adjust plans in real time
Creating a culture of continuous learning and adaptability

Besides developing skills to keep a business afloat when facing a challenge, Adaptive Leadership creates the ability to exploit opportunities for growth and innovation.

A recent advice article in LinkedIn outlined several components of Adaptive Leadership.

Beth Porter is the Senior Marketing Consultant with Four Corners Broadcasting and an alumni of Leadership La Plata Class of 2015-2016.

Thank You to Leadership La Plata Monthly Sponsor:

Congratulations to April’s Garden on their New Downtown Location!

We were excited to celebrate with them during their recent open house and ribbon cutting ceremony. We wish April’s Garden a flourishing future filled with blooming opportunities and continued growth!

Don’t forget to shop local for all your floral needs! April’s Garden 1259 Main Avenue, Durango. www.DurangoFlorist.com

81301 Coffee House & Roasters

Brice Ward

3101 Main Avenue, #1

Durango, CO 81301‑4268

website

Pedal the Peaks Durango

Shirley Gonzales

598B Main Ave

Durango, CO 81301

website

Power to Act

Kristen Carico

Bayfield, CO 81122

website

Jacobs Solutions, Inc

Devon Merriman

1999 Bryan Street

Dallas, TX 75201

website

Bayfield Towing and Recovery

Billy Montez

12702 US Highway 550

Durango, CO 81303

website

Watch the latest Member Moment Video featuring Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory. Find past Member Moment Videos here.

2180 Lighting and Design Studio

Adaptive Sports Association

Affordable Framing Plus

AIS Medicare & More

AlignTec Incorporated

Ameriprise Financial

Animas Alano Club, Inc.

Asher Custom Homes

Ballantine Communications: The

Durango Herald

Big O Tires - Durango

Blue Rain Gallery

Bob's Johns, Inc.

Community Foundation Serving SW Colorado

Create Art and Tea

Durango Adventures and Zipline Tours

Durango Arts Center

Durango Construction Co

Durango Liquor & Wine Co.

Durango Motor Company

Durango Natural Foods Co-op

Four States Tire & Service

Frank Lockwood

Grassburger

Hermosa Cafe

Honnen Equipment Co.

Jay Short Insurance Agency, LLC

Kierstan Ellender

Kiwanis Club of Durango

Kohler McInnis

Kysar Millennium Leavitt Insurance Agency

Land Title Guarantee Company

Michalak Insurance Agency

Mountain Hyperbarics

Nature's Oasis... Durango's Great Natural Market

Purgatory Resort

Region 9 Economic Development District of SWCO

River Liquors

Salt & Main Accounting Co.

San Juan Symphony

Sky Ute Casino Resort

Soup Palette/Lavender Chick Catering Co

Southern Colorado Community Action Agency (SoCoCAA)

Southwest Business Builders BNI

Springs Resort

Strater Hotel

Sunglass Durango

Sunnyside Meats, Inc.

Swan Global Investments

Tosch & Associates

Vaughn Johnson DDS MS Orthodontics

Wagon Wheel Liquors

Battling seasonal allergies? Arm yourself with good nutrition.

La Plata County Extension: Health Tip of the Month

by Nicole Clark, RDN, M.Ed.

Rumor has it that seasonal allergies are arriving early this year. Aside from a daily dose of anti-histamines, or confinement to the indoors, what can be done to reduce the symptoms?

While not a quick fix, food may be your medicine. Diet has been shown to affect the severity of seasonal allergies - and it can improve or exacerbate symptoms.

The symptoms of seasonal allergies, running nose, itchy eyes, congestion, etc., are the result of inflammation. Inflammation is your body’s response to foreign proteins that have entered your body. In most cases of seasonal allergies, those foreign proteins come from pollen.

Imagine pollen floating in the air, until you breathe it in. The first point of contact, and defense, are the mucus membranes in your nasal passage and gut.

This is where nutrition plays a role. Nutrients such as vitamins A, D, and E, and minerals such as zinc, iron, and selenium, dietary fiber, fatty acids, and phytochemicals regulate the structure and function of the cells in mucus membranes and the immune system, either making them stronger, or weaker.