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Empowering Students and Strengthening Business Through Work-Based Learning

by Jeff Dupont, CEO, Durango Chamber of Commerce

At the Durango Chamber of Commerce, we champion work-based learning as a bridge between education and local business needs. Through partnerships with the Southwest Colorado Education Collaborative, Fort Lewis College, and Durango high schools, we aim to connect businesses facing workforce challenges with students seeking real-world experience. Students who gain meaningful work experience develop a sense of belonging and build strong ties to our community, contributing to Durango’s long-term vitality.

Over my 25 years as a college administrator, I saw firsthand how work-based learning transforms students. From negotiating priorities with Boards of Trustees to leading emergency responses or crafting marketing strategies, students consistently excel when provided the right structure and opportunities.

While the benefits are significant, we recognize challenges business leaders often face:

Concern #1: Addressing Student Readiness

Students may lack technical expertise initially, but they bring enthusiasm, adaptability, and a willingness to learn. Starting with foundational tasks and providing structured onboarding helps students succeed while addressing skill gaps. Clear communication ensures expectations are understood and met.

Concern #2: Managing Students with Limited Resources

Small businesses often struggle to allocate time for supervising students. Starting with short-term projects or internships requiring minimal oversight is an effective solution. Clearly defined roles and regular check-ins also streamline management while keeping students productive.

Concern #3: Structuring Effective Work-Based Learning Programs

Businesses may feel unsure about creating meaningful work-based learning opportunities. The Southwest Colorado Education Collaborative helps bridge the gap between education and industry, supporting businesses in balancing student learning with organizational needs.

By tackling these challenges, businesses unlock access to an innovative talent pool while making an investment in our community’s future. Work-based learning isn’t just about helping students, it’s a powerful strategy to strengthen your business and help shape the next generation of leaders.

The Chamber is here to help you explore work-based learning programs that align with your business goals. To explore how we can connect you with local partners and resources, contact me at jeff@durangobusiness.org.

As a timely reminder, the Southwest Colorado Education Collaborative is hosting the Futures Fair Employment Expo on Tuesday, February 11th, from 8 a.m. – 12 p.m., at the La Plata County Fairgrounds. For details, contact info@swcoedcollaborative.org.

Durango Rocks! Elevate Business! Celebrate Community!

Get your tickets now for the annual Chamber Durango Rocks Awards Celebration at the Fort Lewis College Community Concert Hall on Thursday, February 20, 2025. Catch up with colleagues during the reception and then learn about organizations, businesses and community leaders making a positive impact during the awards program. Come celebrate our wonderful community members!

Purchase Tickets Here

How Your Website Can Boost Profits – Workshop Jan. 22

Presented by Khara Wolf with Websites by Khara

Did you know most business websites underperform? Your website is a powerful tool in helping your business grow and make you money.

Uncover the common reasons why most websites don’t help small business owners turn a profit.
Learn what needs to be optimized on your website for profitable returns, higher conversions, and better results from Google.

Don't miss this Lunch & Learn on Jan. 22!

Thank you to TBK Bank for sponsoring these workshops!

Reserve Your Spot!

Mornings at El Moro with the Durango Chamber! Monthly Networking & Learning Series!

Presented by the City of Durango

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.

Enjoy complimentary coffee by 81301 and a delicious $12 El Moro breakfast burrito – the perfect start to your day! Check out DurangoBusiness.org for details & to order your breakfast burrito.

Mark Your Calendar!

Tuesday, Feb. 4th Heather Otter, Region 9, with a discussion on "Living Wages"

Tuesday, Mar. 4th

Tuesday, Apr. 1st

Tuesday, May 6th

Business Connection

Momentum Tree Experts

By Sara Lynn Valentine

"I dreamed of someday owning my own business,” Moses Cooper, owner of Momentum Tree Experts says. “I’m very grateful and proud of achieving this dream. It’s not easy being a small town business owner.”

Moses has been working with - and for - trees for 20 years, and was previously employed by the Forest Service on both federal and state levels. He moved to Durango in 2011 but left for three years to train with an ISA Board Certified Arborist in Michigan.

“I found my true passion and wanted to help transform the tree industry to be safe, professional and effective," Moses continues. "I returned to Durango and started Momentum Tree Experts in 2019, with the support of strong mentors.”

Moses started out during Covid, working by himself. He now has 13 employees, with three ISA Certified Arborists on staff, and a fourth in process. “We want at least half of our staff to achieve this designation,” Moses says. “Our commitment to the ISA Arborist Certification is a commitment to the code of ethics established by the International Society of Arboriculture.”

Moses and his team utilize the most up-to-date processes and scientific approaches. His staff has been trained by the inventors of Mauget's patented technology - a method that provides special benefits by injecting nutrients directly into a tree’s vascular system. “We’re the area’s only certified Mauget injector,” Moses says. “This technology also protects the Animas River Basin from over-fertilization.”

Moses has Certified Wildlife Protectors on staff, to protect and promote bird habitats - carving out hollows for bird nests, for instance, and building raptor platforms in trees requiring removal.

“We’re one of the only companies here that works with tree root systems," Moses says. "I often see other companies clearing dead wood, but not investigating why the canopy has not done well. The root system says as much about a tree as the canopy does. In the past, the norm was to remove struggling trees. We’re focused on prevention and restoration rather than reaction. We do crown restoration to prevent trees from getting to the point where they can’t be saved. We install cabling and bracing if there’s a structural flaw.”

Momentum Tree Experts' clients are mostly individual homeowners and HOAs (like Glacier Club and Edgemont), with a smaller percentage of commercial work. Moses is grateful for the Durango Chamber’s help in getting his business started. He is a conscientious employer, paying wages that will support a strong and highly functioning team of tree-lovers who can thrive and stay in Durango.

Momentum Tree Experts give back to the community in many ways. They are lifetime benefactors of the Durango Botanic Gardens. They donate regularly to the Adaptive Sports Association, Parker’s Animal Rescue, the Humane Society, Annies Orphans, Mission Wolf Rescue, and Parent Teacher Organization.

"Investing in the community is much like tending to a tree. Just as a tree grows strong by sharing its shade, oxygen, and shelter, my business strives to give back through financial contributions and meaningful services. Philanthropy is the foundation, our roots, that allows us to grow, branch out, and support the community around us.”

Learn more at momentumtree.com

You can reach Moses at moses@momentumtreeexperts.com

THANK YOU JOSEPH KUZMA, FORMER YPOD PRESIDENT

Where do you work & what do you do? I work at Manna - The Durango Food Kitchen as the new Development Director. I do all things marketing, volunteer relations, community outreach and donor relations. It is an honor to be with such a dynamic and diverse team of dedicated people.

What was your favorite part of being YPOD president? My favorite part was being able to collaborate with other leaders in the community to create amazing partnerships that enhanced the YPOD mission. I have been blessed to be a part of four other young professional groups over the last 20 years with the Young Professionals of Durango being my favorite. It has also been very rewarding to share the importance of joining this type organization with a plethora of new upcoming young professionals.

Why should someone join the YPODs? To build long lasting relationships with amazing people, to grow in your professional career, and to be an active part of making your community a better place to live and work. If you are passionate about learning what it takes to be a community leader then this is one of the first and best steps you can take.

Much of my success I can credit to being involved with this type of program, and l am honored to have met so many amazing business leaders, friends, and mentors that I cherish deeply.

What's next for you? Hmmmmmm, I'm not quite sure yet, Manna of course but it's also definitely going to include more biking, gardening, videography, volunteering, community involvement and spending more time with my beautiful wife.

If you see me out and about in the community, feel free to stop me and say hello and I will greet you with a big smile. Many blessings and thank you to the current YPOD board, past board members and the Durango Chamber of Commerce for such a great adventure.

Want to join the YPODs? Find out more here.

Chamber Diplomat Spotlight:

Brandy Murray

What’s Your Business? Durango City Lifestyle Magazine

How long have you been a Diplomat? About 3 months

How long have you lived in Durango? 27 Years

Tell us about your family. I have been married almost 30 years and have two daughters. Moved here from Taos in 1995 and never looked back. We live in a multi-generational household with my mother and father-in-law residing with us.

What is your favorite part of being a Diplomat? I love getting better connected to other amazing people in my community and helping support new businesses and non-profits any way I can.

Fun Fact About You. I am a passionate camper and hiker. We have a houseful of pets including 5 dogs, 4 cats, 4 chickens, a bearded dragon, 2 turtles, a spider and a praying mantis. I am passionate about creatures big and small and went from being afraid of spiders to now caring for them.

Want to Join this Fun and Professional Group? Find out more here.

Navigating Local & State Policy Initiatives

As part of the Durango Chamber’s commitment to effective advocacy, the Legislative Action Coalition's 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. Find the latest report here.

What’s Happening with our Chamber Members!

Find more information here.

Every Wednesday American Legion Trujillo Sheets Post Luncheons

Jan. 24 - Feb. 2 Snowdown Events Snowdown.org

Jan. 25 8:30am Homebuyer Education Class in Durango at Fort Lewis Campus

Jan. 31 6:00pm Snowdown Light Parade Downtown Durango

Feb. 4th 5:30pm Fort Lewis College Men's and Women's Basketball vs. Adams State @ Fort Lewis College

Want your event listed? It’s free! Log in to your portal or call us at (970) 247-0312 ext 2

LLP Monthly Focus:

Focus on Decision-Making

By Beth Porter, Four Corners Broadcasting

As you look forward to 2025, maybe start with a look back at your leadership practices. Especially as they pertain to decision-making within the organization. Decision-making means you choose from several options to achieve a desired outcome. Choose the wrong option and that desired outcome is just a distant memory. Decisions keep your organization moving forward…from strategic planning to daily problem-solving to performance.

Like all leadership challenges, there are several ways to approach decision-making. These include:

Individual vs. group decisions or collaborative decision making
Programmed vs. non-programmed decisions
Strategic vs. operational decisions
Rational vs. bounded rationality decisions

Of course, procedures and policies can dictate that different types of decisions can be made using different styles. For instance, repetitive, routine, day-to-day decisions with well-defined procedures can use a simpler style than multi-faceted decisions like strategic planning or product development.

Monthly Sponsor:

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

Martin Brenner, Realtor

PO Box 4

Durango, CO 81302

(970) 769-3029

Advanced Concrete Solutions, Inc.

Allison Ragsdale Photography

Arete Mortgage

Ballantine Communications:The

Durango Herald

Bank of Colorado

Bar D Chuckwagon

Barefoot

Barnum Financial Group - Jake Darsch

Best Cleaning & Disaster Restoration Services

Carver Brewing Co.

Cascade Xpress CarWash

Chris Schnurr

City of Durango Colorado

Trails Ranch

Colvig Silver Camps

Community Connections, Inc.

Durango Botanic Gardens

Durango Creative District

Durango Dermatology

Durango Jin Shin Jyutsu

Durango Land and Homes, LLC

Durango Trails

Earthen Vessel Gallery

Edward Jones Financial Advisor

Drea Pressley CFP, CSRIC,

Escalante Village

ETG Systems, Inc

Goff Engineering & Surveying, Inc.

Goodwill Colorado

Hal Lott, Realtor

ImageNet Consulting

Kip Koso

Land Title Guarantee Company

Laura's Artisan

Legacy Properties West Sotheby's International Realty

Liquor World

Lizard Head Trading Company LLC

Maria's Bookshop

Marketing Concepts Squared

May Palace

Meadow Market

Mile High Plumbing, Inc.

Momentum Tree Experts

Monse Piceno

Morehart Murphy Regional Auto Center

Mountain Bike Specialists

Mountain Studies Institute

Needle Mountain Chalet

Ohana Physical Therapy

Out of the Blue

Pathfinder Chiropractic

Roseberry's Plumbing & Heating

Sagebrush Limited

Sante

Sean Perry

Seasons Rotisserie-Grill

Shaw Solar

Sky Ute Casino Resort

Springhill Suites - Durango

Tafoya Barrett and Associates PC

Trout Unlimited - 5 Rivers Chapter

Zuberfizz by Durango Soda Company

2025 US Job Market Perceptions Split: Survey Reveals Mixed Sentiments on Opportunities and Job Search Ease

One-Third of Job Seekers Predict Decline in Desired Field Positions

Is the job market heating up or cooling down? U.S. job seekers are split in the new year, with a third believing there are fewer job opportunities in their desired fields compared to a year ago (33%), while 38% feel the number of opportunities remains the same and 29% see an increase.

This is according to a recent Express Employment Professionals-Harris Poll survey.

Job seekers are also divided on how easy it will be to find a new job in the next six months. Slightly more than half (51%) are optimistic about their prospects, feeling it will be easy to secure a job, while 49% anticipate difficulties. These sentiments mirror those from the spring 2024 wave, indicating a consistent split in job market perceptions.