Cheers, applause and a whole lot of love for the Durango community was heard at Durango Rocks 2025.
“Tonight, we celebrate the people who make Durango what it is,” said Jeff Dupont, newly appointed CEO of the Durango Chamber of Commerce.
The chamber of commerce held its annual celebration of local business, service and leadership Thursday evening at the Community Concert Hall at Fort Lewis College. Inspired by the community’s commitment to giving back, the chamber debuted two new awards: the Public Service Impact Award and the Empowerment Legacy Award.
Jack Turner, prominent community activist and public service leader, was named Citizen of the Year.
A Durango native, Turner won multiple national championships as a member of the U.S. Ski Team, and later went on to build a 35-year career in the industry as a coach, entrepreneur and filmmaker.
He led snowboard expeditions in Iran and China and was a creator of Snow Monsters and Next Snow Search, the national ski and snowboard programs for children. Perhaps the most impressive: Turner convinced Aretha Franklin to star in a ski movie for Snow Monsters.
“Before all those nice things, there were a lot of disasters and bloody noses,” he joked in his acceptance speech.
While he has undoubtedly had a successful career, Turner was not named Citizen of the Year because of it. It was his standout activism and public service that won him the recognition.
Turner has spearheaded numerous community initiatives including organizing a 9,000-person human chain along the Animas River Trail, revitalizing support for first responders and personally assisting at COVID-19 vaccine clinics.
He also combats misinformation through the Corona-Doc program, preserves local history with Durango Native Stories and volunteers as a substitute teacher.
Turner was effusive in his thanks to his family and said none of his work would have been possible without their support.
He also took the time to highlight the importance of community connection. He believes it is everyone’s responsibility to “know their neighbor” and learn about the people around them – no matter their differences.
“I truly believe people need to get face to face without a damn phone in their hand,” he said. To Turner, this is the way strong, connected communities like Durango are formed.
And he doesn’t just preach, he acts.
His recent work as an organizer for the Horseback Social and Cowboy Parade promoted the convergence and unification of Durango’s rural and urban communities.
At the end of his speech, Turner asked the audience members to join him in a brief display of connection by reaching out and holding the hands of their neighbors.
As all the attendees reached out to one another and formed a chain of interlocking hands, the intangible strength of Durango’s community connection physically manifested for a brief moment.
Ellen Babers, community events manager for the city of Durango, was the first-ever recipient of the Public Service Impact Award, which recognizes government employees who go above and beyond their duties.
Babers plays a critical role in ensuring the city’s favorite events, such as Snowdown and the Iron Horse Bicycle Classic, run safely and smoothly.
In her acceptance speech, she said she was accepting the award on behalf of the whole community.
“It takes all of us, whether we are on the government side, the resident side or just passing through,” Babers said.
Phil Bryson, a founder of Animas High School and CEO of On The Edge, a team and leadership development company, won the Empowerment Legacy Award.
The award was created to celebrate people whose leadership, mentorship and advocacy have left a generational impact on Durango residents.
Bryson is a vital part of the Leadership La Plata program. As the ceremony moved along, his impact was exemplified by the many people who cited LLP as a key contributor their success.
In his acceptance speech, Bryson said it is his love and pride for the Durango community that inspires his work.
Meredith Mapel, president and CEO of Durango Coca-Cola, was the recipient of this year’s Morley Ballantine Women’s Leadership Award, which recognizes excellence in business, leadership and community involvement.
“I had the privilege of knowing Morely Ballantine, and I learned a great deal from her,” Mapel said in her acceptance speech. “I think she must be looking down in just complete awe of this community.”
Mapel has been a prominent local leader. She serves on the Colorado Beverage Association Board and is in her second term as a member of the Fort Lewis College Board of Trustees.
She is also involved with multiple local organizations, including Music in the Mountains, Durango Derailers, Durango Trails, Boys & Girls Club and The Women’s Resource Center.
2024 Durango Rocks Winners
The Durango Chamber of Commerce honors businesses and individuals annually for philanthropy, community involvement and business development at its Durango Rocks event.
Citizen of the Year:
Jack Turner
Business of the Year:
Bank of Colorado
Small Business of the Year:
Star Liquors
Public Service Impact:
Ellen Babers
Empowerment Legacy Award:
Phil Bryson
Non-Profit of the Year:
Stillwater Music
Entrepreneur of the Year:
Priscila Newbold
Spirit of Durango Award:
Tailwind Nutrition
Bill Mashaw Volunteer of the Year:
Nora Stafford
Morley Ballantine Award:
Meredith Mapel
Barbara Conrad Award:
Tiffany Lee
Outstanding Contribution to the Community:
Jack Llewellyn
Young Professional of the Year:
Ryan Simonovich
Diplomat of the Year:
Sandy Lane
Star Liquors was recognized as the Small Business of the Year, an award given to local businesses with fewer than 15 full-time, year-round employees, for its outstanding management and dedication to the Durango community.
Bank of Colorado was the final award recipient of the night, winning Business of the Year, a title given to businesses that demonstrate remarkable success and outstanding community dedication.
Both Jason Portz, market president for Bank of Colorado, and Mike Vermette, longtime manager of Star Liquors, spoke about the importance of supporting local businesses in their acceptance speeches.
Vermette took the time to highlight the shrinking population of independent liquor retailers. He said the entry of large chains and box stores into Colorado have decimated the industry and encouraged the audience to “shop local” and “purchase with purpose.”
Portz echoed Vermette, and asked the community at large to not just shop local, but bank local, not even necessarily with Bank of Colorado.
He said that by keeping local dollars local, the banks are able to invest in the town at a much higher capacity and ensure Durango can continue to rock.
jbowman@durangoherald.com
