Durango a ‘Distinctive Destination’

Durango earned a new honor this week. The city has been added to the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s 2007 list of “America’s Dozen Distinctive Destinations.” The list honors “lovingly preserved” communities in the United States.

“This is truly a community award,” said Rod Barker, owner of the Strater Hotel. “Dozens and dozens of people have worked and continue to work tirelessly to sustain Durango and ensure that it remains a very special place. Congratulations, Durango – you all earned this award.”

Durango was selected from 63 destinations in 27 states. For Durango, representatives from the Durango Business Improvement District/City of Durango – Barker, Bob Kunkel and Indiana Reed – assembled the application. The team received the news in late February but it was “embargoed” from sharing it with the town until the national announcement on March 7.

In addition to scenic beauty, Durango was cited for its vibrant, historic downtown, including preservation of Victorian structures and efforts to keep downtown economically viable. The Trust also applauded the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad and the Ancestral Puebloan heritage in the region, as well as the abundant outdoor, recreational activities.

“More than 100 years ago, the lure of gold and silver attracted the earliest prospectors to Durango,” said Richard Moe, the group’s president. “Today, visitors come to this spectacular, unspoiled mountain town because Durango had the good sense to hang on to what makes it so special. The result is a vibrant community that offers travelers an ideal retreat.”

This is the eighth time the National Trust for Historic Preservation has announced a list of a Dozen Distinctive Destinations. The Trust noted that in each community, residents have taken forceful action to protect their town’s character and sense of place. Some other members of this year’s Distinctive Destinations are: New Orleans; Charlottesville, Virg.; Ellensburg, Wash.; Chatham, Mass.; and West Hollywood, Calif. The National Trust for Historic Preservation was founded in 1949 with a dedication to protecting the irreplaceable.

Animas River project launched

The Animas River Corridor in Silverton got a big boost recently. The Mountain Studies Institute has been awarded $25,000 for trails construction and implementation of the Animas River Corridor Project. The effort hopes to revitalize the 2-mile section of the Animas River between Silverton and the Eureka Townsite with trails and exhibits.

The proposal, entitled “Art, Ecology and the Humanities – Heritage Development in the Animas River Corridor,” was submitted in the fall of 2006. The $25,000 grant will be used specifically for the trails components of the Animas River Corridor Revitalization Project in the coming two years.

Beginning this month, the Mountain Studies Institute will work with Silverton and San Juan County residents to involve them in all aspects of project. Partners, including San Juan County, the Town of Silverton, the Animas River Stakeholders Group, and the San Juan County Historical Society, will work alongside residents to identify and prioritize which trail segments and artistic/interpretive exhibits can be constructed.

The Animas River Corridor Revitalization Project is a plan to guide clean-up and revitalization of a 2-mile section of the Animas River corridor as well as the Eureka Townsite. Through interpretive trails and artistic and ecological exhibits, the project will recognize Silverton’s mining, mountain and rail heritage along with the unique San Juan community spirit and the natural beauty of the Animas River.

The grant was awarded by the Laura Jane Musser Fund’s Rural Initiative Program, which places priority on projects that bring together a broad range and diversity of community members and institutions. All applicant communities had a population of 10,000 or fewer and had to demonstrate the rural characteristics and need of their location.

For more information on the project or the Mountain Studies Institute’s other activities, visit www.mountainstudies.org.

Larson receives honorary doctorate

Mark Larson received a generous gift from Fort Lewis College last week. At its recent meeting, the college’s Board of Trustees approved the conferral of the honorary degree of Doctorate of Humane Letters on the former state representative from Cortez.

Larson has been a longtime supporter of FLC. After being elected to the House of Representatives in 1998, he was instrumental in the creation of a Board of Trustees for Fort Lewis College. This

meant that, for the first time in its history, Fort Lewis College had its own governing board. Larson also advocated a $2.25 million increase in the college’s base funding for 2006-07.

For his service to Fort Lewis College, Larson was awarded the 2003 Distinguished Service Award. In the community, he has been honored as Legislator of the Year by several organizations and as Best Freshman Legislator of the 62nd General Assembly. He was also presented with the Commitment to Children Award by the Colorado Association for the Education of Young Children.

After serving Southwestern Colorado for eight years, Larson recently concluded his fourth term as the Representative for House District 59.

Larson’s wife, Margie, daughter, Dianna, and son, Kris, also graduated from FLC. Larson will receive his honorary degree at the Fort Lewis College Spring Commencement in April.

Ride Share Program resurrected

Alternative transportation in La Plata County got a leg up this week. A regional website designed to connect individuals who need rides with individuals willing to share their vehicle is now up and running. Known as the Ride Share Program, the service actually began in the late 1990s but has been dormant for the last several years.

The Safe Roads Coalition, a grassroots, La Plata County group that promotes positive relationships among all road users, will monitor the website that will serve people throughout Southwest Colorado.  

“With higher gas prices, crowded roads and a more dispersed population, we know there is demand for this service,” said Kendra Holmes, Safe Roads Coalition member.

The website www.freerideshare.org contains a simple form that will match your transportation inquiry to other users. No personal information will be made available, and -mail addresses will link potential riders.  Work is underway to help seniors and those without Internet access to utilize the program.  

Partners in the program include KDUR Public Radio, Region 9 Economic Development District, CDOT, San Juan Resource Conservation District, and the Safe Roads Coalition.

– compiled by Will Sands