Downtown, Durango’s most vibrant area for both locals and visitors, is the historic, commercial and social heart of our city. We owe a big thank you to Durango’s Business Improvement District for its key role in bolstering downtown’s appeal by providing event infrastructure and initiating downtown beautification programs, marketing campaigns, visitors’ maps, etc.

Few amenities make visitors feel more welcome than smiling faces! This summer, BID’s new Downtown Ambassador Program placed seven smiling BID representatives on Main to answer questions, make recommendations about area attractions and help visitors find destinations. Ambassadors have interacted positively with approximately 1,700 individuals or groups so far, with another several weeks still to go. Each ambassador wears a blue shirt with “Information” printed across the back. Along with helping visitors get the most out of their Durango experiences, ambassadors are a comforting presence to those who find the large number of downtown panhandlers intimidating.

You can’t be a local and not notice the marked increase in the number of panhandlers the past two years due to an ACLU lawsuit that made it a violation for cities across the U.S. to outlaw panhandling. Opinions vary as to whether panhandlers are disruptive to businesses – but most Durangoans acknowledge that the large number make many visitors to downtown feel uneasy. In addition to being friendly and helpful, ambassadors serve as a roving community watch team and are empowered to notify authorities if they see unsafe, intimidating or illegal behavior on downtown streets.

BID also introduced a program designed to reduce panhandling this summer and to serve a greater number of needy people called Make it Count. This program encourages locals and visitors to give to area charities (the Soup Kitchen, for instance), instead of to panhandlers. One hundred donation boxes have been distributed among downtown businesses and will be available to receive donations through the end of summer.

Thanks to Tim Walsworth and the BID team for these two great summer programs! Thanks also to the Chamber of Commerce, which donated money to support the ambassador program.

Melissa Youssef

Durango