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TIME FOR CHANGE

By Jack Llewellyn, CEO of the Durango Chamber of Commerce

This is one of the most emotional and difficult articles that I have written as I step down as the Durango Chamber of Commerce CEO. After a little over 17 incredible years of service, this decision was not made lightly. But after a lot of reflection, sleepless nights, and consideration, I feel it is the right time for me to pursue new opportunities and for the Chamber to begin a new chapter under new leadership.

First, I want to thank the amazing staff at the Chamber and those who have worked here in the past. Thank you to our current staff, Kim Oyler, Jennifer Dickens, and Madison Anderson-Oles your continued commitment to our members and the community will thrive. I know your knowledge and enthusiasm will continue to support economic growth and innovation for the interest of our members and the extended business community. I know you will provide all the necessary resources, connections, and advocacy to foster a thriving business environment. Thank you to the past and especially the current board of directors. You have helped guide the Chamber through good and difficult times. Thank you to all the members, your support has allowed the Chamber to provide programs, events, and so much more as we strive to grow our businesses and economy.

Throughout my tenure, I have witnessed the resilience, ingenuity and passion that helped to define the Durango Chamber. From the 2008 economic downturn to the 416 Fire, to the Gold King Mine spill, and of course the pandemic, it has been an honor to work with such amazing and talented individuals.

When my chamber colleagues ask, “How does Durango do it, you have so much happening in your town?” The answer is simple, it’s the people. Durango is fortunate to have incredibly dedicated individuals who are deeply passionate about a variety of causes. This passion drives them to find solutions and make things happen. Add in our numerous amenities – businesses, outdoor activities, mountains, the Animas River, Fort Lewis College, the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, art galleries, and our downtown – the list goes on. When all these elements come together, we truly have a unique and exceptional community.

This is why I am staying in Durango; I’ll be the GM for Hutton Broadcasting serving the Four Corners. Please know that my commitment to our community remains unwavering, and I look forward to finding new ways to contribute to our shared success in the future.

I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to each of you for your friendship, support, passion, and dedication over the years. It has been an honor and privilege to serve as the Durango Chamber of Commerce CEO and I will cherish the memories and relationships I’ve made during my time at the Chamber. I look forward to seeing you at upcoming chamber events wearing a different hat.

Mix, Mingle & Merriment: Business After Hours with the Gable House

May 16!

Get ready to mingle at our monthly Business After Hours on May 16th! This time, we’re teaming up with the charming Gable House Bed & Breakfast to host an unforgettable evening. Rub elbows with Durango’s finest professionals, enjoy delectable bites, sip on libations, and win fabulous door prizes from the Gable House & Star Liquors!

Pre-register online for just $15 or $20 at the door.

Save My Spot

Leadership Workshop: Mastering Social Styles & Communication Techniques

Join us on Wed, May 15 from 11:30a- 1:30pm for the next Leadership Workshop with Karen Thompson, who will share techniques to understand behavioral styles, called "Social Styles." Exploring these models of behavior will help you manage more effectively and be more successful during interactions with different styles. Presented by DAHRM: Durango Area Human Resource Managers. Lunch is included.

Don’t Miss May’s Lunch & Learn:

Actionable Tips to Improve Your SEO!

Maximize your online presence by conquering Search Engine Optimization (SEO) with Kate Ishay of Psyche Digital Marketing. Learn about key elements, including keywords, content, and technical aspects of SEO. Register today & choose your lunch from the Soup Palette!

Mornings at El Moro!

Networking & Learning Series!

Join us on the first Tuesday of the month for an engaging networking and educational program from 7:45am 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 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

Mark Your Calendar! DurangoBusiness.org for details & to order your breakfast burrito.

Mark Your Calendar!

Tuesday, June 4th

Tuesday, August 6th

Tuesday, Sept 10th

Tuesday, Oct. 1st

Tuesday, Nov. 5th

Join us June 4th for Mornings at El Moro! Network & Learn about Mastering Your Credit Score!

Connect with colleagues and learn more about what affects your credit score so you can improve it and save money! Many thanks to Ryan Champion of GM Mortgage for sharing helfpul tips. FREE to all members!

Celebrate the Bridge to the Future!

An “open road” celebration of the connection of US 550 with US 160 at the

Grandview Interchange.

Thursday, May 9, from 10:30 am to noon

10:30 am New highway alignment open to visitors

11:30 am - Noon Speakers from the Federal Highway Administration, CDOT, Southern Ute Indian Tribe, City of Durango and La Plata County on Gulch A Bridge

Getting There

All visitors must enter via US 160 and the Grandview Interchange at the north end of the project
Those traveling from Durango or the west will use the US 160 eastbound off-ramp just east of the Farmington Hill intersection
Those traveling from Bayfield or the east will use the westbound off-ramp located approximately ¾ mile west of Three Springs Boulevard
Event signage and flaggers will direct visitors to Gulch A Bridge
No entry from the south at County Road 220
After the event, visitors will leave the project by continuing south and exiting at CR 220, with help from flagging staff

Boys & Girls Club of La Plata County

By Sara Lynn Valentine

“Kip Koso was a driving force behind establishing the Boys and Girls Club in Durango,” says Vaughn Morris, CEO of the Club. “Kip saw the need for youth to have access to consistent, affordable, daily programs and activities led by caring and supportive role models.”

The Boys and Girls Club was already an established global movement with more than 5000 clubs serving five million kids a year. Many of those clubs met in schools, but Kip believed Durango’s kids needed a dedicated space to call their own.

“There was a dilapidated building just west of the Durango Rec Center that had housed various organizations over the years,” Vaughn says. “Kip worked with La Plata County Commissioners to secure that building. I was hired as CEO and we launched the Club in 2007. There’s a distinct difference in stand-alone clubs like we have in Durango, versus school-based clubs. Here we have local autonomy.”

LPC Boys and Girls Club is governed by community members. They have the support of the larger organization but are able to maintain local control. The dollars invested in Durango are used by the local organization.

Vaughn grew up in Aztec and benefitted enormously from being part of the Boys and Girls Club there. “The positive voices of adult mentors, telling kids they can succeed, modeling how to be good citizens and how to make wise decisions - this is important! This works,” said Vaughn.

After graduating from high school, Vaughn went to Fort Lewis, graduated with a degree in Agricultural Science and Biology, got married and got a job in the environmental industry. He was on the road a lot and soon knew he didn’t want to live that way, which meant changing his career path.

His wife, Shannon, was pursuing a teaching degree and Vaughn decided to do the same. While studying he got a job at a detention center that served both youth and adults.

“I had many interesting conversations there. It was easy to see the cycles caused by poverty, abuse, and lack of role modeling. Most of the incarcerated had not received positive guidance and encouragement, and the majority had not had mentors to help them navigate a complicated world,” says Vaughn.

“Boys and Girls Club enables young people to become responsible citizens, helps them build positive relationships, shows them how to fall down and get back up again,” Vaughn says. “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. We want kids to make good choices, live a healthy lifestyle, and graduate from high school with a plan. We don’t ever say ‘if you graduate.’ We say ‘when you graduate.’”

But the plan doesn’t have to be higher education. It might be military or workforce. The Durango Boys and Girls Club started with 150 kids and now serves well over 1500 kids a year.

“There is an epidemic among youth of loneliness and isolation. There is no substitute for connection, for the physical presence of adult support,” says Vaugh. “We couldn’t do what we do without the community’s support. We’d love to talk with people who want to help us achieve our mission.”

Learn more or volunteer at www.bgclaplata.org or call 970-375-0010

Eggs & Issues: Legislative Wrap-Up & What's on the Horizon for Business?

Back by popular demand! Rachel Beck & Travis Berry will offer their insights on the 2024 State Legislative Session, focusing on legislation that impact business

Thursday, June 27, 2024 8am - 10am at the DoubleTree Hotel

Save Your Seat!

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 reports here!

Leadership La Plata Alumni Feature:

Jessica Morrison

What do you do for a living? I am the founding Executive Director for the Southwest Colorado Education Collaborative. SWCEC is a nonprofit organization that supports building shared career and college pathways across the Southwest region

What LLP Class were you in? 2018-2019

What do you love about LLP? I love the growth in leadership and perspective-shifting that I had when I went through my LLP class. Through the curriculum committee, I enjoy the continued opportunities provided to me to grow and learn through a network of professionals and peers.

How does the Chamber help your business? Being a chamber member has afforded a large amount of resources and information gathering. We attend monthly lunch and learns, use marketing resources, and the business after-hours programming is a fantastic way to meet new people.

Share a less-known fact about you. I sailed on a ship around the world and visited 10 different countries. The last was Cuba where Fidel Castro delivered a speech and then threw us an open bar party. In another life, my husband and I foster puppies multiple times a year with foster organizations in our region.

Interested in participating in LLP? Learn more about LLP plus how to become involved in LLP committees. DurangoBusiness.org/LLP

Chamber Diplomat Spotlight:

Justin Kautter

What’s Your Business? I am a Commercial Risk Advisor with Kysar Millennium Leavitt Insurance.

How long have you been a Diplomat? 7 to 8 years, I don’t remember exactly.

How long have you lived in Durango? 30 years.

Tell us about your family: I live in Durango with my wife, Sallie, of 22 years, who is a School Counselor at Needham Elementary, my two sons, Talisker, a Freshman at DHS and Cashel, a 5th grader at Mountain Middle School and two rescue dogs.

What is your favorite part of being a Diplomat? The best part is getting to meet and know the business members of our community and all the amazing people that make our town so great to live in.

Fun Fact About You: I did the “Durango Tango” when I was in my twenties. I bartended at the Office Spiritorium in the evening, was a river guide during the day, and worked breakfasts at Henry’s, prior to it being the Mahogany Grille.

Learn more about getting involved with the Diplomat Program here.

Featured Chamber Young Professional of Durango:

Benjamin Ford Brewer

Where do you work & what do you do? Visit Durango, Destination Services Coordinator

Why did you want to be a YPOD member? I wanted to make friends who shared the same professional goals and values that I did!

What do you love about the YPOD program? I love the sense of community and the fact that it's such a supportive and collaborative group.

How do you spend your free time? I enjoy trail running at Overend Mountain Park, baking pies, cranking away on my typewriter, and going to Frida's with my partner, Lily.

Want to join the YPODs? Find out more here.

YPOD’s Support Earth Day Festivities At the Fairgrounds

The Young Professionals of Durango volunteered at the Plug It In! Earth Day Celebration at the La Plata County Fairgrounds to assist the Four Corners Office for Resource Efficiency (4CORE) with event logistics. In addition to staffing the parking lot, YPODs were able to greet attendees and help educate roughly 250 attendees on 4CORE, different sustainability efforts and programs in Durango, and of course, get the word out about YPODs.

Check the Chamber calendar here for more philanthropy activities.

Durango Young Professionals Build Connections at Monthly Happy Hour

For the March installment of the YPOD Happy Hour, Young Professionals gathered at Public House 701 for drinks, appetizers, and community. The YPOD’s welcomed new members, discussed local entertainment and news, and shared updates on their jobs. YPOD Happy Hours are free for members and non-members to attend and offer a welcoming and casual environment to meet with local professionals.

Join us on May 15 at Ska Brewing from 5pm to 7pm for the next YPOD Happy Hour! Learn more here.

Kick off the Summer Season with the Young Professionals of Durango!

Join us on May 20 for a picnic and game night at Santa Rita Park where we'll soak in the sunshine, foster connections, and play games. Be sure to sport your best tropical attire and get ready to make memorable connections with fellow young business professionals.

Walmart Donates $12,000 to Local Nonprofits and Celebrates

with a Grand Re-Opening of their Remodeled Store!

Congratulations to Walmart on their 16-week remodel. They also celebrated various nonprofits and donated $12,000 to organizations, including the LPC Boys & Girls Club, Stillwater Music, Durango Education Foundation, and others. Each year, Durango’s Walmart provides grants to assist local nonprofits through the community grant program. Learn more on their website.

Upcoming Chamber Programs & Events!

For more information & to register: DurangoBusiness.org

May 7 7:45-9am Mornings @ El Moro: Networking & Learning Series (free to all Members)

May 11 12:15pm Ribbon Cutting at Realty ONE Group, 1163 E. 2nd Ave

May 15, 11:30am Workshop: Leadership & Social Styles with Karen Thompson

May 15 5pm YPOD Happy Hour at Ska Brewing

May 16 5-7pm Business After Hours at the Gable House, 805 E. 5th Ave

May 17 6pm Leadership La Plata Class Graduation, Edgemont Highlands Community Lodge

May 20 5:15pm YPOD Picnic & Games at Santa Rita Park

May 22 12pm Lunch & Learn: SEO & Content Strategy with Psyche Digital Marketing at TBK Bank Community Room

May 22 5:15pm Ribbon Cutting Horsefly BOOze & Bites History Tour – new tour!

May 24 8:30am – 11am CLEAN DAY, meet at 700 Main Ave

May 30 5:15pm Ribbon Cutting Holiday Inn & Suites Grand Re-Opening

May 30 5:30pm YPOD Business Tour: The Strater Hotel

May 31 Leadership La Plata 2024/2025 Class Applications Due

Jun 4 7:45-9am Mornings @ El Moro Networking & Learning Series

Jun. 7 all day Groovy Girls Gone Golfing at Hillcrest Golf Club

Jun 27 8-10am Eggs & Issues: 2024 Legislative Wrap Up & How it Impacts Business

What’s Happening with our Chamber Members!

Find more information here.

Every Wednesday American Legion Trujillo Sheets Post Wednesday Luncheons

Every Friday Fresh Beer Fridays with Ska Brewing

May 8 8am Southwest Colorado Small Business Conference

May 9 10:30am US 160 Connection – Open Road Celebration

May 10- 12 Manna Garden Annual Plant Sale

May 11 8am Kick off of Durango Farmers Market every Saturday

May 11 1pm Front Lines to Home Front WWII Webinar – Animas Museum

May 12 1pm Mommy, Me & KitTEA Party at the Art Guild of Create

May 24-26 Iron Horse Bicycle Classic

May 24- 26 Meet & Greet with artist Raymond Gibby at Blue Rain Gallery Durango

May 29 True Western Roundup at the LPC Fairground

May 31 4pm Mercy/Common Spirit Recognizes National Cancer Survivor Day

Want your event listed? It’s free!

(970) 247-0312 ext 2

Watch the latest Member Moment Video featuring Strater Hotel.. Find past Member Moment Videos here.

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

The Durango Chamber of Commerce's Podcast, Down to Business, 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 4CORE, go here.

April Lunch & Learn: Harnessing Data & Empowering Business with Insight Lime Analytics

Thank you to MaryBeth Maskovas, founder of Insight Lime Analytics, for her illuminating presentation at our recent Lunch & Learn Workshop. MaryBeth shared invaluable information on leveraging data for small businesses to effectively compete in challenging markets. We look forward to implementing MaryBeth’s real-world tips and empowering businesses with smarter, data-driven decisions.

Cybersecurity Essentials – Safeguard Yourself Online – Mornings at El Moro

Thank you to Security Analyst, Jordan Groetken with the City of Durango for sharing valuable information on protecting your digital presence and safeguarding your online data.

LLP Applications are due May 31st!

Apply here!

LLP Monthly Focus:

Emotional Intelligence:

The Key to Productivity

By Beth Porter, Four Corners Broadcasting

I see some of you rolling your eyes. Emotional Intelligence isn’t about pampering fragile personalities. After all, you don’t get much tougher than the United States Naval Special Operations Community. You know, the guys that can run a marathon with a 100lb pack on their backs and know how to turn an envelope into a machete. These elite warriors are also experts in navigating complex emotional terrains, a skill they consider necessary to success in the many missions.

Why Focus on EQ?

Think of some of the key things successful leaders do: motivate their team, provide feedback, manage stress, resolve conflicts and collaborate with others. All of these functions are going to be enhanced when the leader has the emotional intelligence to recognize and manage emotions. A leader who excels at managing conflict is able to bring a team together, reduce the water cooler complaints and boost motivation, all leading to more productivity.

Now think about the flip side: without critical EQ skills, for instance the inability to recognize or understand emotions leads to workplace conflict. Without emotional awareness and the inability to practice empathy allows bad feelings to go unresolved and worse, fester.

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 our Monthly Sponsors:

Join Leadership La Plata Today!

Empowering Leaders, Enriching Community!

Leadership La Plata nurtures and empowers knowledgeable, skilled leaders to positively contribute to our community.

Applications are now open for the 2024/2025 Leadership La Plata Class. Spread the word and encourage those exceptional individuals to embark on their journey of growth and community impact.

Applications are due May 31 at midnight. For more information, visit DurangoBusiness.org/LLP

LLP Alumni Sip, Swirl, and Swap Stories

Leadership La Plata alumni uncorked memories over a wine pairing at EsoTerra Cidery. Co-owner, Jared Scott, served up some wine wisdom during the event.. LLP has graduated more than 600 participants since its first class in 1989. For more information, visit DurangoBusiness.org/LLP

Graduation Celebration for our Leadership La Plata Class of 2024!

All LLP alumni are cordially invited to raise a glass in honor of our latest classmates’ hard work and dedication.

Over 7 months, our LLP class has undertaken opportunities for personal and professional growth. They’ve also been dedicated to learning more about our community and the issues that impact it. Join us to celebrate them!

Friday, May 17, 2024

6-8pm

Edgemont Highlands Community Lodge

Thank you to our sponsors:

Congratulations to Champion Xpress Carwash on Your Grand Opening!

The Durango Chamber and its Diplomats celebrated the grand opening of Champion Xpress Carwash with a check presentation to Durango High School Athletics in the amount of $3,207. Champion Xpress Carwash donate $1 per car washed during their 2-week grand opening as part of their Car Washes 4 Kids initiative. For additional information https://champxpress.com/

Destination DRO Real Estate & Dorothy Parker Design Team Up!

Congratulations to Dorothy Parker Design and Destination DRO Real Estate on your newly renovated space! Thanks for inviting us to celebrate with you. Wishing you great success!

For more information:

Dorothy Parker Design at https://dorothyparker.co/

Destination DRO Real Estate https://www.destinationdro.com/

Wells Fargo Advisors

Ronda Ledford, CFP®

200 W College Dr. Fl 2

Durango, CO 81301

website

Transworld Business Advisors of Colorado

Elise Mariner

250 Hot Springs Boulevard #2612

Pagosa Springs, CO 81147

website

Sage Properties

Oliver Scott Tomlin

121 W Grand Ave

Mancos, Colorado 81328

website

Durango Medicare, LLC

Erica Schatz

835 E 2nd Ave #202

Durango, CO 81301

website

Realty ONE Group Four Corners

Bryan Molaska

755 E 2nd Ave #E

Durango, CO 81301

website

Mary Jane’s People

Heather Fowler

531 E 6th Ave

Durango, CO 81301

website

Alpine Bank

April's Garden

Blackmore Group

Blue Lily Productions

C & J Gravel Products, Inc.

Colorado Outback Adventures

CommonSpirit- Mercy Hospital

Downs, McDonough, Cowan & Foley, LLC

Durango PlayFest

Eagle Block Company

Edward Jones Financial Advisor –

Drea Pressley CFP, CSRIC,

Four Corners Welding & Gas Supply

FredrickZink & Assoc. PC

Halfway to Heaven

Horsefly History Tours

La Plata County

La Plata County Humane Society &

Thrift Store

La Plata Youth Services

Luna Communications, LLC

Music in the Mountains

O-Bar-O Cabins

Office Depot

Oscars Cafe

ParkerDane Salon & Boutique

Pinnacol Assurance

Rivergate Pharmacy & Compounding Center

Riverhouse Children's Center

State Farm Insurance/ Denise Elliott

Steamworks Brewing Co.

Studio Quality

SW Colorado Workforce Center

Taylored Tours

TBK Bank, SSB

Tippy Canoe

Ultrasteam & Rugmasters of Durango

Whole Health Family Medicine Clinic

May You Make Movement FUN!

La Plata County Extension: Health Tip of the Month

by Nicole Clark, RDN, M.Ed.

This month’s health tip is dedicated to anyone who’s contemplated being more physically active, but never quite managed to make it happen consistently. Despite the popularity of Nike’s tagline, Just Do It, we know it’s not that simple. However, their marketing does get it right by depicting physical activity as fun.

It’s a basis of human behavior, if we don’t enjoy what we’re doing, we won’t stick with it. So, make physical activity fun!

What’s not fun is the disappointing reality of an over-ambitious start. Couch to 5K? No way! Day one of a physically active version of you doesn’t start with exercise, it begins with movement.

Below you’ll find 10 movement ideas, each connected to a mostly unknown and unrecognized holiday in May. Quirky and ridiculous you say? Yep, and that’s the point!

May 1 - May Day. Walk a neighborhood, leaving a flower on the porch of (at least) 3 homes.
May 3 - Garden Meditation Day. Walk to a garden and spend 5 minutes imagining yourself as an active person.
May 4 - Derby Day. Wear a funky hat and lift a jug of homemade mint tea.
May 6 - No Diet Day. Yes! Make bread from scratch. Kneading dough is great for upper body movement.
May 8 - No Socks Day. Stand on one barefoot to practice your balance. Repeat 8 times today. Tighten core muscles for better balance and full body strength.
May 14. Dance Like a Chicken Day. Need I say more?
May 16. National Bike to Work Day (and Mimosa Day). Ride to work, or the grocery store, or the mailbox. Make fresh squeezed OJ, using your hands.
May 19. Plant a Garden Day. Dig a hole, blend soil, plant fresh herbs, and move garden pots.
May 23. Lucky Penny Day. Walk around town until you find 10 lucky pennies.
May 25. Brown Bag It Day. Pack a finger food lunch (sandwich and an apple?). Spend your lunch hour walking and eating.

La Plata County Extension health programming: nicole.clark@co.plata.co.us or (970) 382-6461.

Job Seekers Press Pause on Parenthood: Survey Highlights Work/Life Balance as Top Priority

1 in 3 Delaying Family Plans