I love autumn. It’s my very favorite season – the warm days followed by the cool nights (which makes for pleasant sleep). And the colors – as the leaves are starting to turn, the boldness of the colors is spectacular! It’s truly amazing as the deep blue skies contrast the yellows, oranges and reds.

Also, autumn is football season. I know, I know, I never stop talking about my son’s football accomplishments. He’s out of school now and pursuing a great career, but when fall rolls around, I always reminisce of driving all over the state to his high school and college football games. I’m sure many of you are in that same boat – or car caravan, as it were.

For Durango, now is when we settle back into our routines. Indications are that we had a great summer season, rebounding from last year’s 416 Fire. The actual numbers are always delayed a couple of months, so we’ll wait to see, but both our tourists and locals seem to have been supporting our businesses.

To “kick off” fall, here are some highlights this month that need to be on your calendar:

The Board of County Commissioners is preparing to approve 1041 Powers on Tuesday at 10 a.m. If you haven’t heard of 1041 Powers, I highly encourage you to do your homework, show up and voice your opinion. The Durango Chamber of Commerce, Durango Area Association of Realtors and Home Builders Association of Southwest Colorado are collectively submitting a letter requesting the BOCC allow for more public input and delay approval. On Thursday, it’s the Kiwanis Club’s Pancake Day event, beginning at 7 a.m. in the Exhibit Hall at La Plata County Fairgrounds. There will be pancakes, scrambled eggs, ham, green chiles, salsa, beverages and more. And I’ll be cooking or serving (I’m not sure of my assignment yet). Eat early and fill up because chamber members can come across Main at 5 p.m. to Brookside Park, where your chamber’s new headquarters is located, for the annual Chamber Member Appreciation Party.I bet you’ll get to reconnect with just about everyone you know between these events. But if not, on Friday night, the Fall Gallery Walk begins at 5 p.m. downtown. We’ll see if you can manage to visit all of our art galleries before 7 p.m., as you’ll be stopping all along the sidewalk to chat with friends. And if you haven’t managed to reconnect with everyone during these three events, the weekend of Sept. 21-22 is the Autumn Arts Festival up on Second Avenue. Enjoy all the various artists’ displays.Fall is also a time to think about supporting your passions – paying it forward, as they say. We all have our favorites, but as a graduate of Fort Lewis, the college and its sports programs will always be near and dear to my heart. Head up to campus and cheer on the Skyhawks! But as the kids get back to school and the need for after-school activities, our great Boys & Girls Club helps tremendously, and they can always use your support.

OK, it’s not even officially autumn yet and I’m exhausted. So much going on! But let’s all fall for fall and enjoy!

Jack Llewellyn is executive director of the Durango Chamber of Commerce. Contact him at jack@durangobusiness.org.