Durango is participating in a Colorado “Cities and Towns” effort this week, and Durango City Council and staff are offering plenty of opportunities to participate. Take advantage of them to learn about city programs and let staff and our electeds know what your priorities are for the future of Durango.

If bears, dogs, four-way stops and brighter downtown street lighting are things you think need attention, speak up.

More bike-to-work days (and a second annual float to work day), street festivals on Second Avenue rather than on Main? Then participate.

A pedestrian underpass under Camino del Rio is on the city’s to-do list, but should it have a higher priority? Mandatory bear-proof trash containers? Say so.

Want to add a cycling component to the public land offered to the city by the Katz family? Let someone in authority know.

Funding is available for trail extensions and improvements, but little for other projects such as for the arts and affordable housing. Should that balance be adjusted, perhaps requiring a public vote? Weigh in.

Some issues are “one-offs” and specific: Durango School District 9-R would like to replace the tennis courts at Needham Elementary with a safer student drop-off and pick-up auto route; where should the courts be relocated?

Carbon neutral? Additional “Buy Local” activities? Greatly reduced fossil fuel usage? Jump into any one of this week’s conversations.

At 6 tonight at the Durango Community Recreation Center, a community forum will take place regarding the Parks, Open Space, Trails and Recreation Master Plan. Tuesday, city councilors will be available around town for conversations at area businesses. On Thursday, a public forum is scheduled at Ska Brewing starting at 5 p.m., and beginning at 5 p.m. Friday, there will be another chance to voice your opinion at the Chamber’s “Business Afterhours” at the community recreation center.

If you cannot make it to any of the above events, the city has a survey online at durangogov.org/citiesandtowns. Hard copy surveys will also be available at the library, and at the Green Business Round Table at this Wednesday’s noon luncheon at the Strater Theatre.

For a more complete schedule, look online or contact Amber Blake at 375-4949 with questions.

Durango has an extraordinary number of lifestyle opportunities spanning a variety of activities and locations, and numerous options to make the city safer and more environmentally friendly. Many are in place, but many can be improved and grown by adding new components, tuning and, especially, your input.

Ours is a community of dreamers with imagination and vision. Let the city’s leadership know what should come next in the coming years. Participate in “Cities and Towns Week” in person or online (through Sept. 17). The last opportunity to meet up in person will be at the Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast at the fairgrounds on Thursday, Sept. 21.