City of Durango officials are working with La Plata County to update the fairgrounds licensing agreement so that the city and police department may influence the security plans of large events there.
The La Plata County Fairgrounds, located at 2500 Main Ave., is one of the few sites within city limits that fall primarily under county jurisdiction.
The conversation began, in part, as a result of negative feedback the city received about the annual Four Corners Motorcycle Rally that took place there last year.
Currently, organizers who propose events at the site are required to receive a liquor license and a noise variance from the city if applicable, but the city does not have any other official say in event planning.
At a meeting between city and county officials Wednesday, Assistant City Manager Bob Brammer said the city wanted to change that.
The city surveyed 300 Durango voters and asked them to share their thoughts about special events. Durango hosts 150 events annually, Brammer said, while the county hosts 400 events annually at the fairgrounds alone, including small-scale pop-ups including the flea market.
About a third of those polled said, without solicitation, that the motorcycle rally was a matter of concern.
Brammer, who recently moved to the city administration after a five-year stint as chief of the Durango Police Department, said large events have become targets for violence across the country.
“It would be irresponsible of us to not try to minimize risk, enhance safety, minimize quality-of-life impacts and increase the overall experience for all those that are involved in both the process and also in participation in these major events that are occurring within city limits at the fairgrounds,” he told city and county officials.
The city has worked with the fairgrounds manager to craft amended language to the fairgrounds licensing agreement. The updated language has not been adopted or been made public.
Under the current agreement, the county may deny an application to use the fairgrounds or request changes to a traffic security plan if the county deems it inadequate. Under the proposed amendment, Brammer explained that city and DPD officials would like to provide more in-depth input.
“We believe it would be good for us to be able to take ownership of it, especially if we’re going to continue to be jurisdictionally responsible for that, we want to make sure that we have a full seat at the table,” he said.
Assistant County Manager Kevin Hall said the changes would result in increased collaboration, and described a copacetic working relationship between the two governments.
The plan would not impact this year’s motorcycle rally, Brammer said, and would be unlikely to impact future rallies.
“I appreciate the cooperation with the city,” La Plata County Manager Chuck Stevens said during the meeting. “When (City Manager José Madrigal) and Bob (Brammer) and I met on this, it was just a very welcome conversation and I’m glad that our staffs were able to get together and work on this and find a solution that is beneficial not only to both the organizations, but to our community at large.”
The changes are likely to take effect in January 2025, Hall said.
rschafir@durangoherald.com
