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Aug 24 2021 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… -
Jun 29 2021 City councilor elected to serve on Colorado Municipal League board
League advocates for issues important to municipalities at state Legislature
Durango City Councilor Melissa Youssef has been elected to serve on the Colorado Municipal League Executive Board, the city announced Tuesday in a news release.
Youssef will serve a two-year term, joining Sharon Craig, a trustee with the town of Ignacio, and Katie Sickles, Bayfield town manager,… -
Apr 07 2021 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…
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Apr 01 2021 Our View: Vote Youssef, Bosmans, Furtney for City Council
Voters in the Durango City Council election that ends at 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 6, have time to drop their ballots in the drop boxes around town, but they should not put them in the mail between now and then. The postal service, which includes a roundtrip to Albuquerque, should not be counted on. Besides,…
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Mar 31 2021 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.…
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Mar 29 2021 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… -
Mar 12 2021 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…
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Feb 04 2021 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.…
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Feb 04 2021 Nine residents show interest in joining Durango City Council
Potential candidates have until Feb. 9 to enter race
Durango residents interested in running for City Council in April still have time to dive into the growing candidate pool.Three of five seats are up for grabs during the April 6 election – one that has the potential to shift the majority on split votes. Already nine…
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Feb 04 2021 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…