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  • Climate change challenges Durango, Colorado

    According to the U.N. Panel On Climate Change report, released on Aug. 9, human-caused climate change is rapid, global and intensifying. In the words of U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres, “This is Code Red for humanity.”
    All we need to do is look out our windows to see accelerated climate change in action: smoke and haze from…

  • Durango voters elect three City Council candidates

    Youssef, Buell and Bosmans earn four-year terms
    Newcomers Jessika Buell and Olivier Bosmans, along with incumbent Melissa Youssef, won Tuesday’s Durango City Council election, which was largely framed by affordable housing and how best to help local businesses recover from the coronavirus pandemic.

    Youssef received the most votes, 3,766, according to final but unofficial results. Buell followed…

  • Our View: City, county move in the right direction on homelessness

    City of Durango, La Plata County explore new direction for unsheletered
    Durango City Council and La Plata County Commission took a significant step forward in a joint session Thursday addressing the possibility of establishing a so-called “managed camp” for unsheltered people.

    Officials’ hopes are raised about a potential site on land owned by Colorado Parks and Wildlife.…

  • Candidate Forum – The Durango Telegraph

    Council hopefuls sound off on the burning questions du jour
    It’s been a bumper crop of City Council candidates this year, with seven locals throwing their names onto the ballot for the seats of Chris Bettin, Dean Brookie (term-limited) and Melissa Youssef (who is running again.) With candidate Lisa McCorry dropping out last week, the field…

  • Youssef runs for re-election with an eye on finances

    Incumbent City Council candidate aims to bring continuity
    Last fall, Melissa Youssef carefully considered whether she would put her name in for another four-year term on Durango City Council. By year’s end, she was committed – she couldn’t bring herself to leave when, in her view, the city is at a pivotal stage.

    “It’s such a critical…

  • Durango launches COVID-19 utility forgiveness program

    Residents and businesses can apply
    Qualifying residents and businesses will be able to get relief on their utility bills as part of a COVID-19 relief program through the city of Durango.

    The city is offering up to three months of utility forgiveness for commercial entities and households that can show they’ve been financially impacted by the pandemic.…

  • Proposed Durango lodgers tax increase to make April ballot

    Additional revenue would go toward tourism, transit and the arts
    For the first time in decades, Durango groups have come together to put a lodgers tax increase on the ballot.

    The tax is not paid by Durango residents, but by people staying at hotels, motels and temporary vacation rentals. Durango City Council, with support from local stakeholders…