The City coffers are lean for road repairs, a new police station and other basics, yet there appears to be an abundance of funds for recreation programs.
Given the number, variety and expense of Durango’s recreation programs and facilities, some assume the city is frittering away funds on “fun stuff” while important infrastructure and services are stressed. It’s been suggested in more than one forum that reallocation of tax revenues is in order.
In 1999, voters approved a half-cent sales tax to fund the Recreation Center and the Animas River Trail. Voters re-authorized the measure in 2015 and expanded its purpose to include even more recreational programs. Voters also approved a quarter-cent sales tax in 2005 earmarked for the preservation, acquisition and maintenance of natural lands. Between the two taxes, approximately $6 million is generated annually that’s earmarked for recreation and open spaces. It’s not a budgeting decision to redirect a portion of recreation taxes to other city needs. Per Colorado law, that is only possible with voter approval. And there’s more to the issue than meets the eye.
The impact of Durango’s Parks and Recreation program is greater than the entertainment value for citizens. Taxes are multiplied many times over in direct and indirect impact. Recreation taxes have been leveraged for grants of more than $17,500,000 from Great Outdoors Colorado, the Colorado Department of Transportation and other state and federal programs.
These grants have been used for the Animas River Trail, open space, the whitewater park and many other improvements to our community. Funding for construction and maintenance is prioritized for local contractors and suppliers. Hundreds of full and part-time jobs have been created for locals.
The expertise of the city’s Parks and Recreation staff is a story everyone should appreciate. Their success in applying for and winning state grants is unparalleled. In fact, of all Colorado communities that are eligible for state funding, our local experts are a nationally recognized Parks and Recreation agency and received the National Gold Medal Award for Excellence in the field of Parks and Recreation Management.
Durango’s recreation facilities, programs, and open spaces are instrumental to the local economy. They are a magnet for students and folks that moved here for the Durango lifestyle. These folks earn and spend their wages locally, contributing to general tax revenue.
The tourism economy benefits as well. Our trail network, sports tournaments, parks and open spaces are not just amenities. Visitor surveys show that people travel to Durango specifically for these recreational options.
Whitewater recreation alone is estimated to provide a $19-plus-million annual impact, but it doesn’t happen without facilities and services that are a direct result of Parks and Recreation taxes. Parking facilities, put-in and take-out ramps, and the whitewater park would be absent without the dedicated Parks and Recreation sales tax.
It should also be pointed out that the impacts of whitewater and mountain biking were never predicted. I remember when folks scoffed at Ed Zink, Milt Wiley and Casey Lynch, who kicked off these industries. Skeptics portrayed their vision as catering to lazy hippies who did little to benefit the community.
People come to Durango to relax, recreate, shop and be entertained. They patronize local motels, campgrounds, restaurants and retailers. Nearly every dollar that tourists spend contributes to the overall revenues that Durango desperately needs.
To top it off, visitors pay approximately one-third of the total sales tax remitted to the City. If they need a new jacket, hiking boots, groceries, a meal or anything else while on vacation, it’s purchased in Durango. They don’t order online or drive to Farmington.
The tourism sector is renewable, relatively clean and has fewer infrastructure impacts. Visitors return home without the need for schools, social services or the benefits residents require.
There’s clearly a need for Durango government and residents to rework city expenditures, taxation and expectations. There are no easy answers but consider that our continuing investment in parks and recreation is an economic driver to help solve the tax shortfalls. Any notion of dismantling voter approved taxes for parks, recreation and open space and their leveraged benefits would be akin to killing the goose that laid the golden egg.
The biggest benefit of Durango’s recreation, sports and outdoor heritage is us. In an age that encourages a sedentary, online, social-media lifestyle, Durango provides healthy and fun options for our kids, families of all incomes, seniors and everyone else. Get off the couch and get your fair share.
Jack Turner is a 5th-generation Durango local.
