As the close of 2025 approaches, I want to take a moment to reflect on the extraordinary progress we’ve made together as a community. This season is a time for gratitude, and I am deeply thankful for the dedication, innovation and resilience that define the city of Durango.
This year, our city departments have demonstrated what it means to lead with purpose and serve with heart. From public safety and sustainability to infrastructure and community engagement, each team has contributed to a stronger, more vibrant Durango.
Our 911 team laid the foundation for long-term excellence by developing a strategic plan that aligns vision, priorities and performance metrics. They promoted a Quality Assurance/Training coordinator to champion continuous improvement and ensured every team member had access to professional development, reinforcing our commitment to excellence in emergency response.
At Durango-La Plata County Airport, we celebrated a record-breaking year with over 550,000 airline passengers. We opened a new baggage claim and arrivals hall, added 150 public parking spaces, upgraded the wastewater treatment system and welcomed a new Aircraft Rescue Firefighting vehicle; all part of Phase 1B of our terminal expansion.
The City Clerk and Municipal Court made history by going paperless. With more than 14,000 pounds of archived material digitized and shredded, and significant progress clearing out the vault and zircon storage, we’re embracing efficiency and sustainability.
In Community Development, we completed our first full year using OpenGov permitting software, processing more than 500 land-use permits and nearly 400 building permits. We welcomed three new child care facilities, designated Durango High School as a local historic landmark and annexed almost 15 acres of land to support future growth. We also updated our Land Use and Development Code to reflect community values by addressing lighting, turf, wildfire resiliency and occupancy limits, and by adopting the 2024 ICC building codes and the state’s Wildfire Resiliency Code. Our new Building Division is already strengthening relationships and ensuring compliance with best practices.
Human Resources launched a new employee orientation program to help new hires feel welcome and prepared from day one.
At Durango Public Library, we completed our first full inventory in 15 years and enhanced our Early Readers collection to better serve families. With over 581 programs hosted and more than 14,000 patrons engaged, our library remains a hub of learning and connection.
The Prosperity Office supported 89 economic opportunity projects with over $560,000 in grant funding, fueling innovation and community development.
Our Sustainability team expanded the e-bike rebate program, helping more than100 residents access affordable, eco-friendly transportation. We secured $750,000 to upgrade the historic Carnegie building with a modern, all-electric heating and cooling system. We also advanced Durango’s electric vehicle infrastructure through new public chargers, workplace grants, and solar-powered charging stations.
The Transportation Department introduced Park Mobile Pay-by-Cell at meters and the Transit Center, making parking more convenient for residents and visitors.
We also received numerous awards that reflect our city’s excellence:
- Our Finance Department earned the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award and an AA+ Bond Rating from Standard & Poor’s.
- Our city manager was named one of the Top 10 in the nation and received multiple accolades for community engagement and performance excellence.
- Our Transit Division was honored as the Large Community Transit Agency of the Year and recognized for its positive workplace culture.
These achievements are not just milestones; they reflect the values we hold dear: service, innovation, collaboration and care for one another.
As we gather with loved ones this holiday season, I invite you to celebrate the spirit of Durango. Let us carry forward the momentum of 2025 into the new year, with optimism and a shared commitment to building a city that works for everyone.
From my family to yours, and on behalf of the entire city of Durango, I wish you a joyful holiday season and a bright, prosperous New Year.
Mayor Gilda Yazzie is a longtime Durango resident and Fort Lewis College graduate with a degree in business administration. Durango’s first Navajo (Diné) councilor and mayor, she has worked with HUD and other federal, state, and tribal agencies, as well as on Capitol Hill on women’s rights and racial equality.
