As we prepare for Southwest Colorado Rocks on Feb. 19, we celebrate far more than individual achievements. This night honors the spirit of partnership that powers La Plata County, from Durango to Bayfield to Ignacio. This event is all about shared success. Every award, every story and every round of applause is a reminder that when one of us thrives, we all benefit.
It’s easy to get buried in the day-to-day grind of running a business or leading an organization. However, the most enduring success stories don’t happen in isolation. They come from a community that chooses cooperation over competition, building relationships that create long-term value for everyone involved.
When your neighbor’s business succeeds, it creates a ripple effect: They hire more local staff, purchase more local supplies and reinvest in our shared infrastructure.
We reject the scarcity mindset that says, “If they win, I lose.” Instead, we embrace the abundance of partnerships. When we invest in one another, we build economic resilience. We create an ecosystem of local support that allows us to solve bigger problems locally, take smarter risks and recover faster from setbacks.
Sunward Bank and CommonSpirit Health are a great example. Their recent investments in Chamber scholarships for local startups and nonprofits are more than just generous, they’re transformative. By paying it forward, they’re investing in the future of other businesses, recognizing that strong economies begin with strong foundations. Their support helps new organizations launch with greater stability, visibility and community connection. These early boosts not only build brand recognition but also significantly improve the odds of long-term success.
This spirit of collaboration isn’t limited to financial investment; it’s woven into the culture of many industries in the region. The partnership among our local brewers is another example of this collective mindset. Whether it’s a joint brew between Ska and Steamworks or the variety of local taps carried across restaurants in town, craft beer in Southwest Colorado is a team effort. Events like our annual Brewfest aren’t about one brewery standing out – they’re a celebration of the entire craft beer community. By promoting each other’s releases and co-creating limited-edition beers like the Snowdown Prohibition Lager, our brewers have turned a small mountain region into a premier craft beer destination.
If you want to grow your own business, one of the smartest moves you can make is to support someone else’s. Refer them. Partner with them. Learn their story, so you can send opportunity their way.
As we come together to recognize outstanding businesses and individuals, remember that their success reflects the community that stood behind them. The honors we celebrate are not just individual accomplishments; they are reflections of the networks, mentors, referrals and encouragement that made those achievements possible.
Southwest Colorado Rocks is more than an awards ceremony, it’s a celebration of what happens when we lead with abundance, not scarcity.
Join us on Feb. 19 for Southwest Colorado Rocks and see what happens when we put our community first.
Get your tickets today at durangobusiness.org.
Jeff Dupont is CEO of Durango Chamber of Commerce.
