Looking back over the waning year reveals 2015 to have been one that asked a lot of Durango and La Plata County residents – primarily in the form of civic engagement in conversations that will shape life here for decades to come. Ranging from how we respond to environmental disasters to infrastructure investments, to those in amenities, to more existential questions about our community identity, the debates of 2015 have been lively and at times traumatic. Some of these discussions are resolved – at least in direction, if not completed projects – while others have just begun. In most instances, there has been significant community input and lively debates.
Perhaps the most defining episode of 2015 began on Aug. 5, when 3 million gallons of metal-laden water burst from Gold King Mine above Silverton after an Environmental Protection Agency contractor team accidently released trapped fluid. As the toxic soup made its way through Cement Creek and the Animas River, a local, state and national conversation erupted over who was to blame for the incident, what was to be the damage – environmental, economic and otherwise – and how and when to remedy the circumstances that led to the mine spill. While the discussion evolved quickly – warp speed for policy debates – it drew on decades of conversation about Silverton’s mining legacy and the damage it is causing to water quality downstream. In short order, Silverton and San Juan County recommended that the EPA designate the mine sites under Superfund and begin a comprehensive clean-up – something at long last within reach.
In Durango, a burgeoning panhandling population prompted a multilevel debate about how to respond. The city of Durango passed two ordinances that aim to control the behavior – one prohibiting aggressive panhandling and a second that restricts panhandling on certain medians deemed to pose a safety risk because of vehicle traffic. Free speech protections underlie the debate, as do concerns from business owners about how panhandling will affect their commerce. Fundamentally, though, the discussion hinges on what services and attitudes the community provides those living in poverty – including homeless individuals and families. The issue came into stark focus when a bear attacked several people camped west of the city. The conversation has a long way to go before the community can say it is adequately addressing homelessness here, but 2015 brought the issue to the forefront – a critical step toward resolution.
A long and growing list of infrastructure needs and amenity desires received attention in 2015. Durango City Council solidified its plans to build a new wastewater treatment plant at Santa Rita Park, La Plata County made clear its funding gaps to pay for road and bridge maintenance and construction – though voters rejected a mill levy increase needed for the purpose. City voters in April extended until 2039 a half-cent sales tax that funds parks and recreation construction and maintenance, and now the conversation shifts to how to spend the money. Among the first investments was the purchase of a new gymnastics facility.
Further north, Durango Mountain Resort returned to its roots after James Coleman purchased the ski area and bestowed its original name. Purgatory is off to a great start this season, with the new Chair 8 shuttling skiers up the mountain in a third the time of the old lift. This improvement is likely one of many that will please skiers and snowboarders.
There have been many challenges and opportunities in 2015, and most were met with eager and engaged involvement from residents and decision-makers. That energy will be needed to make further progress on complex community issues in 2016.
