Thankfully, your Durango Chamber office is slowly emerging from our “Covid Cocoons” and we are available by appointment.
Yes, with social distancing, facial covers, etc. – but being a business support group that is used to being “social,” Zoom isn’t a particularly fun playdate and we’ve grown tired of chasing our tails.
OK, sorry for the bad puns. But in the spirit of getting us all out and about, and loving our furry friends, the Chamber, along with our Top Dog sponsor Alpine Bank, has organized the Coolest Dog in Durango Contest. Essentially all you need to do is capture a “cool” picture of your furry friend and submit it to the Chamber by July 21, 2020 . We have partnered with additional, sponsors Steamworks Brewing Co., Four Corners Broadcasting, Allison Ragsdale Photography, The Durango Herald, Pet Haus and Marketing Concepts Squared.
The big winner will be the loving dogs at the La Plata County Humane Society, a portion of entry proceeds will be paid forward to this canine companion support organization.
Frankly, I think my dogs Ali, Finley and Brody would be winners. As would Allee (who many of us know), whose dad is Kris Oyler of Steamworks Brewing Co.; Lucky, who has been lucky to have as his mama Kim Emanuel of FCB; or Tulo, of Alpine Bank’s Beth Drum. Rest assured, you don’t have to compete with these already-coolest dogs. Since their parents are sponsors, they’re not eligible.
So get out and get some sunshine, vitamin D and exercise, and capture a picture of your pup for a good cause. Also, check your favorite restaurant’s website, as many of the open-air areas, patios and the new bump-outs in Downtown have been given a variance by San Juan Basin Public Health and the city to allow for your pooches to go out to dinner with their humans.
To review more information about the Coolest Dog in Durango Contest, and find out how to enter, visit the Chamber’s website, www.durangobusiness.org.
And while you’re on our website, be sure to check out our Legislative Affairs Updates. It seems like things change hourly, and we’re doing our best to keep up with all ordinances, orders, restrictions, re-openings and (unfortunately) wildfires.
Further, speaking of governmental affairs, the county is moving forward with the new Land Use Development Code. Yes, the first round of public comment has ended, but you still have time to weigh in with our Board of County Commissioners at www.co.laplata.co.us.
Switching to tourism, a significant part of our economy, the tourist are returning, keeping our economy vibrant by “bringing in the green.” And it is summertime, and all our recreational activities are permitted to be back in business. Thank goodness we can get back on the river or take a Jeep tour. You can help our local businesses and book a “staycation” at a local resort. Sign up for a horseback ride through the mountains. Plus two of our biggest tourism drivers, Purgatory Resort and the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge, have been authorized to open – with restrictions. Book now and enjoy why we live here.
Kudos go out to all our businesses that are being “creative” to get back in business. Please help them, so our little berg successfully comes back to life.
Here’s another cliché, one that I frankly am very tired of, but it’s true: We’ll all get through this together.
Jack Llewellyn is executive director of the Durango Chamber of Commerce. Contact him at jack@durangobusiness.org.
