The Durango Business Improvement District is warning about a misleading Facebook page masquerading as if it’s tied to the organization.

The page, which is named “Durango District for Business Improvement,” also appropriates the logo for the Community Emergency Relief Fund, which is financially supporting community members furloughed because of the 416 Fire.

The page appears to be set up in opposition to the city of Durango’s recent sidewalk safety ordinance that bans sitting and lying on downtown sidewalks.

The page listed an event that was scheduled from 4 to 6 p.m. Friday, June 29, called “Sit, Rest, Lie and Relax on Main Ave!” but no protesters showed up at 4 p.m. Friday.

BID said it had no involvement with the event listed on the page, according to a news release issued by BID.

“All of us here in Durango have compassion for our homeless population,” said Tim Walsworth, BID executive director. “Everyone is trying to figure out a solution. It doesn’t help when somebody – and we don’t know who – goes out and creates a misleading Facebook page and starts promoting divisive activity in our downtown just when we’re trying to rebuild our tourism economy in what is hopefully the wake of the 416 Fire.”

parmijo@durangoherald.com