News and Media

It’s the right time for the proposed crossing
Among the laudable goals of the city of Durango is the intention to make more of it as livable, walkable and bikeable as the city’s downtown area.

On the agenda is a plan to provide safe passage for pedestrians and bicyclists trying to cross north Main Avenue (U.S. Highway…

Three of five seats up for grabs
Three of five seats are up for grabs during the April 6 Durango City Council election, and already new candidates are signing up to compete.

Councilors Dean Brookie, Chris Bettin and Melissa Youssef are ending their four-year terms on City Council. Since the candidate process opened Thursday, six people have…

Amid all the noise and drama of the November presidential election, readers may have missed the full significance of the recent Durango School District 9-R bond vote, also on Nov. 3.

That voters approved a bond raising $90 million to support local public school facility needs is not all that remarkable, given that Durango voters typically…

Do virtual meetings foster or limit civic participation?
Dogs leaping into a city councilor’s lap. Crunching on tortilla chips without hitting mute. Kids yelling and partners doing chores in the background.

Eight months into the coronavirus pandemic, public officials in Durango are settling into virtual public meetings on the Zoom platform.

And the pros and cons are becoming…

Council makes the courageous choice to protect the public from COVID-19
After several discussions and a marathon meeting Monday, Durango City Councilors voted 4-1 in favor of a new ordinance requiring the wearing of masks in public places. The ordinance includes penalties for noncompliance ranging from a first-time fee of $50 to a third- or subsequent-offense…

Community Relations Commission aims to create inclusive process
As the city of Durango prepares to update trail signs at Horse Gulch, city staff members are asking for input on trail names. Some names need to be re-examined, according to the city’s Community Relations Commission.

City staff asked commission members to review potential name changes during a commission…

‘I am thrilled,’ says Jose Madrigal. ‘I am excited to take on new challenges’
After months of searching for the right city manager candidate, Durango City Council unanimously decided Friday to offer the position to Jose Madrigal of Texas.

Madrigal’s main competition in the last stage of the hiring process was interim City Manager Amber Blake, who…

Two candidates ‘exceptionally qualified,’ officials say
Finalists for the Durango city manager position took a citywide tour this week, and both left excited and impressed by what the town has to offer.

Durango has been in the process of hiring a new city manager since the city ended its contract with former manager Ron LeBlanc in a mutual agreement…