It’s the end of 2024. Personally, I will be glad to see this year in the rearview mirror, if only because it was a particularly divisive election year that seemed to go on forever. It’s the time of year when we look back at the good and bad of the last 52 weeks and ideally, think of how we can change the bad to at least better.
We look back at those in the community that have passed on. Some were well known while others were not. Every one of them was a friend or family member and they are grieved over. We also lost several people to homicide this past year. While death is a natural part of life, murder is not.
Planning a new look for downtown Durango became quite contentious. On one side are elected officials, planners and some business owners who believe that this is just a great idea. On the other side are other business owners, delivery drivers and people who already struggle to find parking when they go downtown. They believe that the plan is a complete disaster.
Out in the county, and the Three Springs area, development is increasing rapidly. Some see the big retail store/restaurant growth as a boon to our local economy. Others see it as the destruction of small local businesses and to our more laid-back lifestyle.
Housing prices are either stabilizing or dropping, depending on who you ask, and there are plans for more housing developments and apartments in various stages of the process. Durango and La Plata County remain unaffordable for many working individuals or families. Too many are living in New Mexico and commuting to work every day.
The issue of homelessness remains. The closing of the encampment at Purple Cliffs, boulders along the parking area near the river on Roosa and breaking up camps is not a solution.
Wildlife/human conflicts were common this year, mostly involving bears getting too used to having access to garbage, bird or pet food. Too many people just will not make these things unavailable to the bears. Our backcountry is showing the effects of heavy human impact, mostly from those who leave trash, dig firepits and create new trails.
The Durango and La Plata County area remains a great place to live. My list above is not to infer otherwise. Like all communities, we have things that we really need to deal with. And we can deal with them when we work together.
I have seen so much of the positive aspects of the people here over the years in many ways. When a disaster such as a major wildfire hits this area, people turn out by the hundreds to help in any way that they can. We help feed and shelter those evacuated and the first responders who come in to fight the fire.
When people send out a call for a fundraiser for someone suffering from a major illness, house fire or death in the family, people respond and give. We celebrate together when someone wins a major athletic event or achieves an award for service to others.
We can deal with any issue if we keep a couple of things in mind. First, be willing to listen and adapt. There will always be things that you did not consider when you presented a new plan, or an idea on how to solve a problem. Second, there is a delicate balance between economic benefit and quality of life. Nothing is unsolvable.
Scott Perez is a Durango area-based former working cowboy, guide and occasional actor. He earned a master’s degree in Natural Resource Management from Cornell University.
