Citizens Alliance names director
A new face is at the helm of the San Juan Citizens Alliance. The locally based environmental organization announced this week that Dan Olson is the successor to Dan Randolph, who served as director starting in 2011.
Olson, 35, of Durango, was chosen from a nationwide search by the Alliance’s Board. His first day of work was Thurs., March 6.
“The Alliance is thrilled to have Dan Olson take over day-to-day leadership of the Alliance, and grateful for the years of effort – in many different capacities – Dan Randolph gave to this organization,” Board President Gary Skiba said on Tuesday. “His commitment to move the work of the Alliance forward simply cannot be understated.”
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| Dan Olson |
Olson, who is originally from outside New York City and attended Colgate University, comes to the Alliance after 14 years working in green business operations. He started his career in the central administration of Harvard University, then relocated to Jackson, Wyo., where he founded a sustainable-operations consulting firm.
He settled in Durango in 2006, where he most recently worked for Ecova, which helps Fortune 500 companies green their business practices. He also served on the Board of Colorado and Rocky Mountain Wild.
Olson said he looks forward to the challenge of his new role and helping to make lasting change from a grassroots level. “I worked with big business, but I’m really driven by the issues,” said Olson. “If you’re not actively trying to solve problems, then they’re probably not going to get solved.”
He admitted there are many things he needs to come up to speed on, but the main goal will be working to balance the region’s environmental, economic and social justice concerns. “There’s so much more that has to be done from a social and civic perspective,” he said.
Olson is married to Emily Olson, who works for the Mountain Studies Institute. They have a 10-month-old son, Henry.
Randolph is leaving the Alliance to pursue consulting opportunities on energy development and wilderness issues, and to spend more time with his family. “The work of the Alliance grows in importance and relevance literally every day,” Randolph said. “Whether it be protecting treasured recreation areas such as Hermosa Creek; pushing back against greedy, rule-bending developers as at Wolf Creek; or advocating for air and water quality protections that balance oil and gas development with the health of our communities, the future of the Alliance is bright. I look forward to continuing my involvement with the Alliance as an engaged member.”
Olson will be on hand for the Alliance’s Banff Film Festival fundraiser on Saturday night at the Smiley Building as well as the Durango Chamber of Commerce’s “Lunch and Learn” on Wed., March 26.
Groups partner to save Folklorico
Durango’s rich and colorful Ballet Folklorico culture is back at center stage.
Fort Lewis College’s el Centro de Muchos Colores and the Durango Education Center recently announced a partnership that will keep the tradition alive in Durango. The three-year pilot program, called Ballet Folklorico de Durango, was made possible through an educational grant from La Plata Energy Association.
The two groups will collaborate on both youth and adult Ballet Folklorico dance programs.
“This has been a long-time dream that is finally coming true” Ballet Folklorico dance instructor Jennifer Cossey said.
The original Ballet Folklorico de Durango was founded in 1996 as a program of the nonprofit Durango Latino Education Center to help students of underrepresented populations learn pride in cultural heritage as well as to provide a safe and positive after-school activity. The youth dance group is now a program of the Durango Education Center and El Centro coordinates the adult/community group.
“We are so excited to keep youth and adults in our community involved in this cultural arts dance program that started in the ’90s here,” El Centro Coordinator Shirena Trujillo Long said. “This is about using Mexican folkloric dance to promote pride in cultural heritage while also educating our underrepresented students from kindergarten through college graduation.”
In addition to keeping tradition alive, Ballet Folklorico de Durango also has a goal to increase Latino student graduation rates in La Plata County and at FLC.
Classes for ages 5-17 take place on Sundays at 2 p.m. at El Centro’s offices, in the FLC student union. Adult classes meet 5 - 7 p.m. Tuesdays, also at El Centro.
The dance group is available for performances in the Four Corners for a suggested donation of $50-$100. there will also be a culminating performance of youth and adult groups at the Cinco de Mayo event, held at Gazpacho Restaurant on Sat., May 3. For more information about Ballet Folklorico de Durango, go to www.fortlewis.edu/elcentro or call (970) 247-7290.
– Missy Votel