La Plata County voters face a mix of tax measures on the Nov. 4 ballot (Herald, Sept. 23), proposed by the city of Durango, town of Bayfield, Durango Fire Protection District, and Upper Pine River Fire Protection District. If approved, these measures will fund community needs at varying costs depending on location.
The Herald’s editorial board strongly supports city of Durango Issue 2A, DFPD Issue 7A and UPRFPD Issue 7B. La Plata County’s fire and EMS system is interconnected. Strengthening one district benefits the entire county.
Everyone paying a share reduces risk and increases community resilience, public health and safety. During the Elkhorn Fire, while Upper Pine and Los Pinos responded, DFPD temporarily covered those districts, demonstrating the importance of a robust countywide system.
Two DFPD questions exist because the city of Durango contracts with DFPD for fire services. Issue 2A is for city voters; 7A is for DFPD and county voters. Both must pass for the measures to succeed.
Growth at Three Springs is driving the need for a new station – the first added since 1997, when the area was largely undeveloped. Since then, the city’s population, including Three Springs, has grown 45% and continues to expand.
In addition to units planned or under construction around Mercy Hospital – including a 140-bed assisted living facility, over 700 apartments, a hotel and a new school – about 2,000 people currently live in Three Springs. Phase II, adding 1,100 units, could bring the total population to 4,000 at full build-out.
The proposed funding – just under $3 million annually – will support construction of and staffing a new station at Three Springs, training and competitive wages; shore up additional capital needs (a fully equipped ambulance costs nearly $500,000, a fire engine over $1 million, a ladder truck $1.7 million); and fill gaps caused by state property tax cuts of $2.5 million per year.
These measures build on a 2017 voter-approved DFPD mill levy increase, which funded rebuilding Station 3 on 32nd Street, the BODO training station and construction of downtown Station 2 – the latter financed with a 3% interest loan through 2039. There is no 2017 funding to contribute to a new station. Maintaining and expanding infrastructure ensures firefighters have modern facilities to train, live and respond safely.
DFPD covers 325 square miles – from Coal Bank Pass to the New Mexico state line, and from Durango West to the Florida River on U.S. Highway 160 – and handled 6,400 calls last year. Fire and EMS services are essential for the safety of residents, visitors and businesses throughout the district. Sharing costs keeps any single individual’s costs low: A $500,000 home would see a $9/month increase, a $1 million commercial property $81/month. Practically speaking, 2024 state property tax reductions will largely offset these increases.
UPRFPD covers 292 square miles in eastern La Plata County and part of Western Archuleta County, serving 20,000 permanent and seasonal residents. The district also faces reduced revenue, rising EMS calls, and aging equipment. In 2024, the district responded to 1,100 calls – over 75% EMS – including a cardiac arrest during the Blue Ridge Fire in Forest Lakes. Local EMTs got the patient to the hospital in 69 minutes – something that wouldn’t have happened if they lived in Cortez or Pagosa Springs.
Issue 7B would raise $490,000 annually through a 1% sales tax (exempting groceries, prescriptions, diapers, farm equipment, and other essentials) shared by visitors and residents to fund staff salaries, training, equipment and station improvements. Competitive pay allows EMTs to live locally, while modern safety gear protects firefighters from chemical exposure. Firefighters face significantly higher cancer risks than the general population because of repeated exposure to smoke, toxic chemicals and combustion byproducts. These investments save lives – for residents, visitors and first responders, alike.
The federal shutdown adds urgency for UPRFPD. Prescribed burns – conducted with the U.S. Forest Service – are on hold, a station relocation project paused, federal staffing and grant support frozen, and Medicare ambulance reimbursement cut 22.5%, affecting funding though not patient care. Federal withdrawal underscores the importance of local resilience: We rely on one another.
Supporting DFPD and UPRFPD is a vote for self-reliance and community safety. Again, both 2A and 7A must pass together to succeed. Vote for 2A, 7A and 7B.
Ballots will be mailed on Friday, Oct. 10 and are due by 7 p.m. Nov. 4. More information is at durangofire.org/mill-rate-increase-2025 and facebook.com/UpperPineFPD.org
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