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Your Monthly Chamber Connection
July 2025
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The Strategic Power of Curiosity
By Jeff Dupont, CEO – Durango Chamber of Commerce
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Curiosity is more than a soft skill- it’s a value that can help lead an effective team culture. In a world defined by disruption and constant change, curiosity is how we stay innovative, connected, and ahead of (or at least not far behind) the curve.
The problem is, once systems are in place and things are running smoothly, most people stop asking questions. We assume the way it’s always been done is the way it should be. The best leaders challenge that mindset. They ask better questions, spot blind spots early, and move forward with opportunities others miss.
For business owners and managers, curiosity isn’t passive, it’s an important tool. It helps engage employees, inspire ideas, and build stronger teams. I tell every new hire: Your role is to ask why things are done this way. If something doesn’t make sense, speak up. If you think it can be done better, say so.
This isn’t about questioning everything. It’s about driving improvement. The organizations that keep evolving are the ones that stay curious, especially when things feel comfortable or routine.
Start by asking better questions. Curiosity doesn’t guarantee results, but it gets you moving. Not every idea will stick. But if nobody is asking the hard questions, progress stalls.
If you're leading a team, ask questions that open doors instead of shutting things down. After reviewing your organization’s dashboard, ask the question:
What are we not thinking about?
These types of questions don’t just generate ideas; they encourage engagement. When people feel like their perspective matters, they contribute more. And when leaders listen with intent, the culture shifts.
Good leaders don’t explore for the sake of it; they use curiosity to strengthen strategy, align teams, and reinforce values. It’s not exploration for the sake of it; it’s purposeful.
A couple of questions that can help with business effectiveness and overall strategy:
- Are there any consistent problems that are worth rethinking?
- Does this decision align with our mission, or just solve a short-term need?
The point isn’t to interrogate your team. The goal is to challenge assumptions and create space for forward-thinking ideas. That’s what drives innovation, retention, and trust.
If you’re leading without curiosity, you’re probably missing something important; especially in today’s environment, where change comes fast and often. Staying curious helps you stay agile, rethink the process, and adjust in real time.
There was a time when having all the answers was seen as the mark of a strong leader. We’ve all had that teacher who shut down challenges and framed themselves as the authority. That approach closes off engagement. Contrast that with the teacher who welcomed questions, encouraged fresh ideas, and created space for dialogue. Those classrooms buzzed with energy, and those teachers made a lasting impact.
Curiosity isn’t a detour from leadership. It is leadership. It fuels improvement, keeps organizations evolving, and aligns people around purpose.
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Interested in learning more about how you can get connected and involved? Reach out to our team by emailing chamber@durangobusiness.org
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Business After Hours at Animas Surgical Hospital
Nonprofit Feature: Community Connections, Inc.
Join us for our monthly networking event for professionals and business owners.
July 17, 5-7pm
Animas Surgical Hospital (575 Rivergate Ln)
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Lunch & Learn: Creating a Winning Content Calendar
Participate in a session on planning, scheduling, and optimizing your social media content for consistent and impactful engagement.
July 23, 12-1pm
TBK Bank (259 W 9 St)
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Mornings at El Moro featuring Tommy Crosby,
City of Durango, Grants & Economic Tools
Connect with peers, showcase your best elevator pitch, and participate in a 25-minute learning session.
August 5, 7:45-9am
El Moro Tavern (945 Main Ave.)
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Annual Employment Law Update with Attorney Michael Santo, Bechtel & Santo
For small businesses & nonprofits - get insights you can actually use, avoid noncompliance, and navigate today's HR challenges!
August 20, 8am-4pm
Student Union at FLC (1000 Rim Drive)
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SPEND ST. PATRICK'S DAY IN IRELAND
WITH US!
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7 DAYS | 6 NIGHTS
MARCH 16-22, 2026
This lively, perfectly paced tour is an ideal introduction to Ireland. The Taste of Ireland experience covers all the must-see sights, from the legendary Blarney Castle to the breathtaking Cliffs of Moher.
PLUS, enjoy a special evening of networking with the Killarney Chamber of Commerce!
Dublin - Killarney - Ring of Kerry - Cliffs of Moher - & Galway!
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Chamber Advocacy in Action:
Supporting a Strong Business Climate!
Kim Oyler, COO- Durango Chamber of Commerce
| | | | Advocacy is one of the Chamber’s core pillars, alongside connection and education. From advocating for long-overdue compensation tied to the Gold King Mine spill to defending essential healthcare funding that supports our workforce, the Chamber is actively engaged on policy issues that directly affect businesses. We’re also supporting vital tourism funding to drive economic activity across La Plata County and backing efforts to enhance services at the Durango-La Plata County Airport. | | This work ensures the voice of the business community is heard in conversations about housing, healthcare, economic development, and more. We invite you to read the latest Legislative Action Coalition update and see how this work is helping create the conditions for business success—today and in the future. | | |
Business Connection: Alpine Bank
Celebrating 20 Years in the
Durango Community!
By Sara Lynn Valentine
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Alpine Bank, with branches all over Colorado, opened its doors in Durango in 2005. It quickly became known for its emphasis on personalized, one-on-one service.
“We believe in creating strong, long-lasting relationships and in giving back to the community,” says Eric Eicher, president of Alpine Bank Durango. “We are proud to serve the people and organizations that make Durango the beautiful place it is.”
Alpine Bank started with six employees in La Plata County and now employs 33 in two local branches: one downtown at 11th and Main, and the other at Three Springs.
Of the original six employees, three are still working at Alpine - Mike Burns, Beth Drum and Eric. Mike, who was recently promoted to Chief Financial Officer of Alpine Bank, has been with Alpine for 28 years. Beth, Senior Vice President of Regional Marketing, has been with Alpine for 29 years, and Eric for 27.
| | | “Our success has been solely because the Durango community has embraced our values and our culture,” Eric says. “We are a true community bank, and we came with a vision to help the community. We are here to make Durango better in whatever ways we can, and we are state chartered so we can do all sorts of financing. We hire people who are compassionate - who truly care. They listen, with the goal of helping our customers achieve their dreams.” | |
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Alpine Bank offers opportunities for low-to-moderate income customers all the way up to very large construction projects. Their largest shareholder is their Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), which makes Alpine an employee-owned bank.
“This ownership structure allows us to be a very independent bank - so we can quickly make lending decisions based on local needs,” Eric says. “When we’re not working in the bank, you will find us volunteering in the community, attending local events and enjoying the many outdoor activities Durango offers.”
Alpine’s investment in the community is not limited to dollars. Social and environmental responsibility is important to Alpine Bank, and the Alpine team gives generously of their time and talent, with employees contributing many hours of volunteer service a year. They can donate three working days a year to a non-profit they choose. “We pay them for that, which amounted to almost 800 volunteer hours last year.”
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| Alpine Bank also donates to a full spectrum of local nonprofits, via an Alpine Bank’s debit card program. When Alpine customers use their debit cards, ten cents per transaction is donated on their behalf to a nonprofit of their choice. Alpine Bank offers an Arts card that benefits local arts and culture, a Fort Lewis College card, an Education card, an Environment card, and a Community card, among others. | | | Alpine Bank is a sponsor of the Chamber’s quarterly Leading with Purpose: Get to Know the CEO series. “Alpine bank supports the Chamber because it is truly the voice of small businesses within the Durango community,” Eric says. | | | |
The Young Professionals of Durango are sponsored by: | | | YPODs in Action: June Recap | | Last month, the Young Professionals welcomed summer by meeting for the monthly happy hour at Four Leaves Winery. 12 YPOD's networked, laughed, and made lasting connections with their peers. Music in The Mountains was the featured guest, promoting their special YPOD ticket pricing. | | | |
Congratulations to Kurtz-Fargo on the Grand Opening of their Durango location! | | | |
Congratulations to HOTWORX on their Grand Opening! | | |
July 10, 5:15pm
Nunn Construction New Location
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July 15, 5:15pm
CommonSpirit Mercy Surgery Center Grand Opening
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July 22, 5:15pm
Durango Creative District
New Location
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July 24, 12:15pm
Les Schwab Tires Grand Opening
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July 31, 5:15pm
Mountain to Desert Mortgage
New Location
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Leadership La Plata Alumni Feature:
Taylor Lennox Irwin
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What do you do for a living? I am the Communications Manager for Enrollment Management at Fort Lewis College. I help current students and their supporters stay informed, empowered, and on track to thrive in their higher ed journey.
What LLP Class were you in? 2022–2023
What do you love about LLP? LLP creates rare and meaningful connections across La Plata County by bringing together leaders from all walks of life in what, definitely, is the coolest cross-section sample of La Plata County each year. It breaks down silos and fosters a genuine sense of camaraderie committing to personal growth.
| | | What is a less-known fact about you? I’m an art history enthusiast and spend time studying the lives and works of artists. I credit Van Gogh as the catalyst for the personal growth I’ve pursued throughout my adult life—sparked by one moment in a random field in France when I was 19. | | | |
Leadership La Plata is presented by: | | | |
Leadership Insights (powered by LLP)
How to Implement AI into Your Business
by Beth Porter
Senior Marketing Consultant at Four Corners Broadcasting & LLP Class of 2015-2016
| | | | AI significantly streamlines mundane clerical tasks, offering time and cost savings. However, like any business tool, there are some potential issues that need careful consideration. Some of the pitfalls of AI include bias in algorithms, over-reliance on the technology, complexity and misaligned objectives and business goals. | | | |
Here’s a brief overview of several key steps to implementing AI products into your business:
Assess Your Business: Identify specific areas that would benefit from automation or increased efficiency through AI. Consider how automation will improve overall business performance and how to measure these benefits.
Research AI Products: Once you’ve defined your goals, explore various AI solutions. Compare features and pricing while ensuring the tools are compatible with your existing systems and scalable as your business grows.
Communicate with Your Team: Inform your team about the AI implementation project and encourage them to ask questions.
Educate Staff: Ensure everyone understands the purpose of the AI and how to use it effectively.
Maintain Software: Regularly update the AI software to keep it functioning optimally.
Evaluate Performance: Continuously assess the AI program at set intervals and gather employee feedback on its effectiveness. Leverage the machine learning capabilities of the AI tool to improve its performance over time.
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Introducing AI tools can come with challenges. Key concerns include:
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Data Quality: AI tools learn from the data they are trained on. Poor-quality data can lead to inaccurate or misleading results, emphasizing the need for human oversight to ensure validity and accuracy.
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Legal and Ethical Concerns: The use of personal data for training AI models raises evolving legal and ethical issues, particularly regarding privacy and security.
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Bias: AI models can perpetuate existing biases present in training data. For instance, if a company's workforce reflects a gender gap, the AI might reinforce this bias when screening resumes.
Despite these challenges, AI can be immensely beneficial for small businesses. It should be adopted thoughtfully, ensuring alignment with your business processes and a clear understanding of its capabilities and limitations.
If you are an LLP alum, keep an eye out for continuing leadership education opportunities.
| | | If you are looking for an immersive experience in leadership development or to develop leadership skills for a team member, consider the Leadership La Plata program. Check out www.durangobusiness.org/llp for more information | | | |
Every Wednesday American Legion Trujillo-Sheets Post 28 Luncheons
Every Wednesday True Western Roundup Rodeo
Every Saturday: Sip & Song at EsoTerra Arboretum
July 3- July 6: 4th of July Celebration
July 4: All-American Gourmet Breakfast by Durango Rotary Clubs
July 4: Red, White & Bulls Professional Bull Riding by True Western Roundup
July 4: Parade at 4:30pm
July 4: Street Dance at 5pm
July 5: Red White & Bulls: Bucking Bull Futurity by True Western Roundup
July 5: Red White & Bulls: Bull Fighting by True Western Roundup
July 18: Matthew Sievers: The Memories of Moments at Blue Rain Gallery
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Brian Butzen MD Durango Orthopedic Surgeon
Brian Butzen
575 Rivergate Lane, Suite 105 Durango, CO 81301
Phone: (970) 259 3020
https://www.doctorbutzen.com
Durango Dementia Coalition LLC
Kim Martin
Phone: (970) 759 7152
https://sites.google.com/view/durangodementiacoalition
Holistic Dentistry Durango
Evin Worthington
175 Mercado Street, Suite 115 Durango, CO 81301
Phone: (970) 382 7780
https://holisticdentistrydurango.com/
Home Instead
Katie Bui
160 Rock Point Dr Ste C Durango, CO 81301
Phone: (970) 828 6700
https://www.homeinstead.com/home-care/usa/co/durango/857/
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Goosehead Insurance
Lukas Perry
835 Main Ave, Ste 225 Durango, CO 81301
https://www.goosehead.com/agents/co/durango/lukas-perry/
The Perigen Project, LLC
Christine Perigen Fonner
Phone: (866) 774 9445
www.christinefonner.com
Photo Bougie LLC
Leah Darr
Phone: (970) 779 0031
www.photobougie.com
Pura Vida For Good
Robert Holmes
Phone: (970) 946 7549
www.puravidaforgood.org
Union Social House
Carol Clark
3062 Main Ave, Durango, CO 81301
Phone: (970) 759 4144
http://www.unionsocialhouse.com
| | Thank you to all our renewed members! Consider checking our member directory to ensure you are shopping local and supporting other chamber businesse! | | DURANGO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE | | |
Staff
Jeff Dupont, Chief Executive Officer
Kim Oyler, Chief Operations Officer
Madison Anderson-Oles, Member Relations Coordinator
Anaya Lucero, Summer Intern and Administrator
location: 2301 Main Avenue Durango, CO 81301
mailing: PO Box 2587 Durango, CO 81302
970.247.0312 ext. 2
www.durangobusiness.org
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Board Members
Vaughn Morris, President; Boys and Girls Club
Josh Neff, Vice President; CommonSpirit/Mercy Hospital
Mike Vermette, Treasurer; Star Liquors
Dr. Karen Cheser, Immediate Past President; 9-R School District
Melisa Jackson Palmer, Secretary; Bank of Colorado
Brian Lundstrom, Sky Ute Casino & Resort
Nick Johnson, Exit Realty Home & Ranch
Sarah Brandt, Durango Motor Company
Tom Loch, Diplomat Representative
Land Title Guarantee Company
Jenn Bartlett, Leadership La Plata Representative
Big Brothers Big Sisters
Ryan Simonovich, YPOD Representative
Ryan MTB Media Company and Local News Network
Dave Woodruff, City Councilman, City of Durango Representative
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