Editor’s note: Today, The Denver Gazette begins publishing stories from the Colorado Network, a new cooperative of freelance journalists focused on covering news from all corners of the state, particularly areas that are undercovered now.
DURANGO • Durango and La Plata County have come up with an innovative way to address acute shortages in housing and childcare for their local workers.
In November, a majority of La Plata County voters approved a ballot measure to reallocate 70% of lodger’s tax revenue used for tourism marketing to housing and childcare, instead.
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The lodger’s tax vote came after a change to Colorado law in 2022 that allows the tax money to be spent on things other than tourism.
Other mountain resort areas in Western Colorado recently have voted to do the same thing, including San Juan, Dolores, Grand, Chaffee, Eagle, Summit, Clear Creek and Gilpin counties, the Gunnison Local Marketing District, and the towns of Ridgway and Montrose.
Lodging taxes are becoming a palatable way for voters in highly touristed areas to address workforce needs because they are generally paid by out-of-town visitors, not locals. The idea is that local workers power the tourism industry, so visitors should contribute to efforts that support a stable workforce.
In addition to funding new housing projects, the new dollars are being used to help families pay for child care or to boost wages for teachers.
Previously, all of the lodger’s tax in La Plata County — paid by visitors to the county — was spent to promote tourism through Visit Durango, a destination management and marketing organization.
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The county anticipates collecting about $850,000 in revenue in 2025, said Meghan Graham, strategic management director at La Plata County.
With the reallocation, $238,000 is budgeted for child care projects, while $178,500 will go toward housing initiatives, according to Graham. $255,000 — or 30% — will still go to tourism.
Graham said that child care and housing have been top priorities for community members the past two years, according to an annual survey conducted by the county.
For childcare funding, the county will seek a third party to review applications seeking funding and make recommendations to the board on how the money is distributed, a similar process officials used to distribute American Rescue Plan money.
Graham said that childcare capacity is the most needed area of assistance, as well as income equity and language equity.
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La Plata County is home to eight licensed family homes and 24 licensed childcare centers, down from 16 and 32, respectively, according to the Colorado Sun. In 2023, only 60% of residents in need of early child care services could receive it, according to The Durango Herald.
The housing component of the money will go to the Regional Housing Authority, as well as the La Plata County Homes Fund, which the county already funds, but the reallocation will make up for a budget shortfall.
“We’re in a pretty constrained revenue scenario for 2025 and had to make some pretty significant cuts,” Graham said. “So, the commissioners decided to use the housing portion of the lodger’s tax reallocation for that operational funding for those two entities.”
Reimagining approach to tourism
The City of Durango is also making changes to how it thinks about tourism. Last month, the city hired Mike French to lead a new “prosperity office” overseeing tourism, housing and economic development.
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The idea for such an office came from city manager Jose Madrigal, French said, and it seeks to foster collaboration among the three interconnected sectors.
“By aligning strategies and resources, the office ensures that decisions reflect a holistic approach — balancing priorities to advance shared goals and better serve the community’s overall interests,” French said. “This integrated model encourages cooperation, rather than competition, enabling us to create sustainable solutions that support prosperity for all.”
There are already numerous housing initiatives underway in the city. One is the Residences at Durango, a motel conversion west of downtown that will provide low-income housing. French said units will start becoming available this month.
The Residences at Durango will fill a need for housing stock for people who make between 30% and 60% of the area median income, French said.
A 2022 study found that rental costs in the Southwest Colorado region “are substantially higher than Fair Market Rent estimates.”
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The city has also acquired a piece of land in the Rivergate subdivision in south Durango, where it hopes to use a public-private partnership to build affordable housing, according to French.
French’s economic development purview will include exploring tax incentives for businesses and grant money for the community.
“I don’t think a community like ours, just a smaller rural mountain community, can really separate tourism economy from economic development, can really separate housing from economic development and any more housing from tourism,” French said. “Housing creates capacity for tourism. Tourism is an engine, one of the main pillars for our economic prosperity.”
Visit Durango-city merger proposed
One of the first agenda items for the new office is pursuing a merger with Visit Durango.
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“Some of the turnover at Visit Durango — and changes and review of their spend and financials — had the city start to consider where there might be some opportunities to find efficiencies,” French said. “We looked at their organizational structure, and there’s some natural overlap in sustainability and community engagement.”
The destination management nonprofit is also on board with the merger, with Visit Durango board of directors chair Ken Stone writing a letter of support for the merger addressed to the city manager.
French said work on the merger will start immediately in 2025 and any changes will have to be approved by Durango City Council.
As of Jan. 1, the city took over management of the Durango Welcome Center, which Visit Durango has previously managed under a contract with the city.
Voters inside Durango city limits did not vote on the measure, but Visit Durango will still receive lodger’s tax collected by the City of Durango.
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A tumultuous year for Visit Durango
The proposed merger comes after the organization’s executive director, Rachel Brown, resigned in May. Brown did not give a reason for her resignation but it came amid the county exploring the lodger’s tax reallocation and the city having a hard time receiving invoices from Visit Durango.
It was also discovered that the former Board of Directors Chair Jenny Roberts had been convicted of multiple felony counts, including forgery and identity theft in the past. Roberts said she did not have access to Visit Durango’s finances, but the organization underwent a third-party financial audit.
The audit was completed by the firm Eide Bailly LLP and found several issues, such as flawed expense reporting and potential conflicts of interest by board members. Visit Durango considers the audit to be positive, and the city said that its oversight would fix the issues.
The organization has been led by interim executive director Barbara Bowman since October.
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“The recent events served as a useful tool in fostering trust and close collaboration between Visit Durango and the city, which then resulted in the merger discussion,” Bowman said.
Dog accidentally poisoned by rat poison found in Colorado yards – CBS Colorado
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A Colorado family’s worst nightmare came true in the Tapestry Hills neighborhood of Castle Pines when their dog ate rat poison found in yards and an open space. Neighbors grew concerned that someone might have intentionally poisoned pets, but Douglas County officials say that the poisoning was most likely an accident.
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With Colorado at 98 percent of the snowpack that’s typical for this point in the season, another round of heavy snow may be on the way. Keep in mind that while Colorado’s statewide snowpack was at about 137 percent of the norm by the end of November, that number dropped to about 84 percent during dry weeks that followed. It wasn’t until the last week of December and first few days of January that increased snowfall pushed the snowpack back toward average.
While the next few days in Colorado’s mountains should be relatively tame (OpenSnow’s report indicates that Silverton will get the most snow over the next five days at just six inches), the weekend could bring a turnaround.
Editor’s Note: Monday night snow could result in a dangerous Tuesday morning commute on the Front Range – not a lot of snow, but enough to cause potential issues.
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Experimental mapping from the National Weather Service shows the most of the state’s mountains will be at ‘risk of heavy snow’ from January 11 to January 13. If this snow hits, it will be part of a multi-day storm that could also encompass several states, including parts of Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming, Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska, and New Mexico.
At this point, the snowiest resort in the state for the season has been Copper Mountain with its 168 inches of snow – 14 feet. How the upcoming storm shakes out is still a bit up-in-the-air, but Copper Mountain is smack dab in the middle of where it’s expected to hit in the Centennial State.
Find additional forecasting information on the National Weather Service website.
STAY INFORMED: Get free Colorado news with our daily newsletter (Click here)
• Travis Hunter heads to Cleveland, and Shedeur Sanders joins the Giants: Hunter would provide dual-threat ability for a depleted Browns squad, while Sanders could be the answer to New York’s quarterback woes.
• Titans secure the No. 1 overall pick: Tennessee is the unlikely winner of the No. 1 pick sweepstakes, and Miami quarterback Cam Ward is the team’s choice in this mock draft.
• 2025 NFL Draft season is here: Try PFF’s best-in-class Mock Draft Simulator and learn about 2025’s top prospects while trading and drafting for your favorite NFL team.
Estimated Reading Time: 3 minutes
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The 2025 NFL Draft order is now set for the 18 non-playoff teams. Here is one way the first round could play out as things stand, with the Tennessee Titans kicking things off by drafting one of only two quarterbacks selected in Round 1.
1. TENNESSEE TITANS: QB CAM WARD, MIAMI (FL)
The Titans earned the No. 1 overall pick in Week 18, largely because of their shortcomings at the quarterback position this season. Ward won’t be a fit for every team. For as much as he has some heroic big-time throws, he also has some head-scratching turnover-worthy plays. But he has improved every year he’s been in college, no matter the team. Ward possesses the mentality and the confidence you want in a potential franchise passer.
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The Browns getting the No. 2 pick means that a quarterback could be in play. I also like the idea of them exploring all options to trade down, especially if they don’t take a quarterback here (I would not). But with this being our first mock with the solidified non-playoff draft order, I didn’t want to do any trade-downs. Instead, I stay true to the big board and give the Browns the best playmaker in the draft in Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter.
Hunter was the third-highest-graded cornerback (90.6) and the sixth-highest-graded receiver (89.0) in the FBS. He could legitimately play on both sides of the ball in Cleveland. I would slot him in full time at cornerback with about 10-15 plays at receiver each week.
3. NEW YORK GIANTS: QB SHEDEUR SANDERS, COLORADO
Truth be told, I am not at all convinced a quarterback will be drafted in the top five this year. But until free agency proves otherwise, the Giants are so desperate for a quarterback that it would feel disingenuous not to award them one here. Sanders recorded an 83.0 PFF passing grade in all four college seasons he played in. Over the past two years, he was excellent at post-snap reads and taking care of the football. Sanders doesn’t have the strongest arm, but he plays a clean brand of quarterback — which some teams will gravitate toward.
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4. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS: T WILL CAMPBELL, LSU
The Patriots’ Week 18 win over the Bills dropped from the No. 1 overall pick to No. 4. Shortly after their victory, they fired head coach Jerod Mayo, so their vision of how to build around quarterback Drake Maye could change. But the desire to improve what was statistically the worst offensive line should remain a constant. Campbell will be viewed as a guard by some teams, but he feels like a player who, with three years of good starting experience at tackle at LSU, should get his shot at tackle in the pros. Regardless, he’s a damn good lineman who would be an immediate starter in New England.
5. JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS: DI MASON GRAHAM, MICHIGAN
Jaguars edge defenders Travon Walker and Josh Hines-Allen bring disruptive potential, but the team’s defense lacks strong interior play to match it. Graham, who earned elite PFF overall grades of 90.0 and 90.7 over the past two seasons, is a stud run defender and a twitchy interior pass-rusher. This is a “best player available” type of pick.
6. LAS VEGAS RAIDERS: WR TETAIROA McMILLAN, ARIZONA
After trading away Davante Adams mid-season, the Raiders created a serious need for a WR1. They will likely be in the market for one in free agency, but if that fails, they should be in range for one of the top receivers in the draft. Here, they get the top receiver on PFF’s big board in Arizona’s McMillan. He’s a 6-foot-5 receiver with some of the strongest hands in the class and a unique after-the-catch mentality for a player of his size. He felt like a lone bright spot on the Wildcats’ offense this year.
7. NEW YORK JETS: CB WILL JOHNSON, MICHIGAN
Johnson was hurt for most of this season, but when he was fully healthy last year, he showed us he was one of the best coverage players in the country with top-tier NFL ability. At 6-foot-2 and 200 pounds, he has the athletic ability and fluidity to play mirror-man coverage against any receiver. Adding Johnson to a secondary with Sauce Gardner would create elite potential.
8. CAROLINA PANTHERS: EDGE ABDUL CARTER, PENN STATE
The Panthers’ win over the Falcons in Week 18 may have dropped them in the draft order, but Bryce Young capping off an incredible turnaround over the second half of this season was more important than a few draft spots (and that’s coming from a draft guy). Defense needs to be the focus for the Panthers in the draft, and pass rush is likely at the top of their list. Carter has the best burst and bend in the class, and he earned a 91.0 PFF pass-rush grade with a 23.0% pass-rush win rate in his first year as a full-time edge rusher this year. He would be a welcomed addition to Carolina’s defensive line.
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9. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS: EDGE NIC SCOURTON, TEXAS A&M
It was a quiet year for Scourton based on expectations. But at Purdue in 2023, he earned a 91.0 PFF pass-rush grade with a 21.3% pass-rush win rate, thanks to a deep pass-rush tool bag with tons of different moves and counters at 6-foot-4 and 280 pounds. He is the Saints’ type as a 4-3 defensive end (depending on whether the new coaching staff has that same front).
10. CHICAGO BEARS: T KELVIN BANKS JR., TEXAS
The Bears’ offensive line was still too up-and-down this season for the front office to not make new investments. Banks is small in height and length for a tackle (might be just under 6-foot-4), so he may start his career inside at guard. That could work out flawlessly in Chicago, which seems to have more solidified talent at the tackle spots. His athletic ability is very impressive and provides him with a high ceiling, and he earned 86.8 and 88.0 PFF pass-blocking grades over the past two years.
11. SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS: EDGE JALON WALKER, GEORGIA
The 49ers could use help in the trenches this offseason, and defense is the choice here due to it being the strong position in this year’s draft. Walker is listed as an off-ball linebacker, but he is at his best when rushing the passer as an edge. At 6-foot-2 and around 250 pounds, he’s a bit light on his measurables to be a full-time edge defender, but his 18.3% and 21.0% pass-rush win rates over the past two years are proof of his consistent disruption at that size. Walker is explosive and turns speed to power easily.
12. DALLAS COWBOYS: RB ASHTON JEANTY, BOISE STATE
Is this an obvious choice? Yes. Does that change my mind? No. Jeanty enjoyed a historic season this year with more than 2,600 rushing yards. But beyond just the overall output, he was also incredibly efficient, with a 96.6 PFF rushing grade, a 99th-percentile missed tackles forced per attempt figure and a 98th-percentile yards after contact number. He is one of the best football players in the draft, and Dallas needs a player like that badly on its offense.
13. MIAMI DOLPHINS: T JOSH SIMMONS, OHIO STATE
Simmons got hurt midway through the season, so unfortunately, we haven’t seen him during Ohio State’s deep playoff run. But before he tore his ACL, he looked like one of the top offensive tackles in the draft. He has some of the best footwork in the class, with good athletic ability and smooth movements. The Dolphins just need to improve their offensive line in any way they can, and Simmons could play guard for them if Patrick Paul is a starter at offensive tackle. On 158 pass-blocking snaps this season, Simmons didn’t allow a sack and allowed just one pressure on his way to an 82.0 PFF pass-blocking grade.
14. INDIANAPOLIS COLTS: TE TYLER WARREN, PENN STATE
It’s not often that a tight end is selected in the top 20, but Warren warrants it. He’s a true all-around tight end who can block effectively in-line and make strong contested catches as a receiver. The big plus is that, at 6-foot-6 and 260 pounds, he earned a 93.3 PFF receiving grade thanks to 666 receiving yards after the catch this season as Penn State’s main mode of receiving production.
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15. ATLANTA FALCONS: EDGE JAMES PEARCE JR., TENNESSEE
The Falcons’ pass rush came alive during the second half of the season, but that doesn’t mean they shouldn’t consider selecting a pass-rusher in a pass-rusher-heavy draft. Pearce gives them some burst and bend they don’t have on their defensive line right now, and he plays a natural stand-up outside linebacker spot. Though undersized at around 240 pounds, he recorded pass-rush win rates above 20% in each of the past two years.
16. ARIZONA CARDINALS: DI WALTER NOLEN, OLE MISS
Nolen is a former five-star recruit who came into his own this season. He is incredibly explosive at 6-foot-3 and 305 pounds and earned an elite 91.1 PFF run-defense grade with great flashes as a twitched-up pass-rusher (73.5 PFF pass-rush grade in 2024). The Cardinals need new juice on their defensive line, specifically in the pass-rush category.
17. CINCINNATI BENGALS: WR LUTHER BURDEN III, MISSOURI
Burden was not as productive in 2024 as in 2023, but that is more an indictment of the offense as a whole than Burden. He is an elite after-the-catch receiver who can win as a flanker and in the slot. The Jermaine Burton experiment is not going well in Cincinnati, and pending free agent Tee Higgins could be elsewhere next season. The Bengals need plenty of help on the defensive line but could use another playmaker next to Ja’Marr Chase to remain a potent offense.
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Edge rusher Boye Mafe took a nice step forward as a pass-rusher this year, but the Seahawks need more in that area. Stewart has a rare combination of size, speed and power at 6-foot-6 and 290 pounds. He earned an 88.9 PFF run-defense grade but also flashed as a pass-rusher over the past two years. If he can hone his go-to pass-rush moves, he could be a great addition for Seattle.
19. HOUSTON TEXANS: T CAMERON WILLIAMS, TEXAS
The Texans’ interior offensive line has been a major Achilles’ heel of their offense. Tytus Howard has been pushed into one of the guard spots, which has produced mixed results. They could potentially keep him there if they draft a talented offensive tackle to play opposite Laremy Tunsil. Williams is raw but extremely talented with length, power and speed. Plus, he has plenty of experience at right tackle.
20. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS: S MALAKI STARKS, GEORGIA
The Buccaneers will be eyeing pass-rush upgrades, but with a lot of the top pass-rushers off the board — and with this being a deep pash-rush class in Rounds 2 and 3 — I like the idea of them forming what would likely be the most talented safety duo in the league: Starks and Antoine Winfield Jr. This season has exposed Tampa Bay’s deficiencies in the secondary.
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21. DENVER BRONCOS: TE COLSTON LOVELAND
Despite wide receiver Courtland Sutton‘s excellence, the Broncos have lacked any other consistent receiver presence on offense in 2024. Head coach Sean Payton has been one to emphasize the tight end position when he has a viable option. Loveland’s lack of production this year was more an indication of how poor Michigan’s passing game was than anything. When he’s healthy and in a rolling offense (see 2023), he’s a big, fluid receiver — an ideal passing weapon for Bo Nix moving forward.
22. PITTSBURGH STEELERS: CB BENJAMIN MORRISON, NOTRE DAME
Morrison hasn’t been a part of Notre Dame’s deep playoff run due to a hip injury, but he’s a fluid, fearless man coverage cornerback — something the Steelers have been searching for in their past few secondary draft picks.
23. LOS ANGELES RAMS: WYATT MILUM, WEST VIRGINIA
Rob Havenstein will be 33 years old and in the last year of his contract next season. The Rams could look to find his replacement, whether for 2025 or beyond. Milum was one of the most consistently dominant offensive linemen in 2024. He earned a 91.7 PFF overall grade with 90.0-plus grades in run blocking and pass blocking.
24. GREEN BAY PACKERS: CB SHAVON REVEL, EAST CAROLINA
The Packers‘ cornerbacks were disappointing this season. Revel represents their type of player, meeting length and speed thresholds while bringing play-making ability. He should be very high on their board, even coming off a torn ACL.
25. LOS ANGELES CHARGERS: EDGE JACK SAWYER, OHIO STATE
Khalil Mack has been productive over the past few years, even now at 33 years old. But Joey Bosa has taken a step back due to injuries, and Mack won’t be there forever. Head coach Jim Harbaugh is not one to let the trenches fade into oblivion when it comes to roster building. Sawyer has been steady, disruptive and productive over the past two seasons, something Harbaugh got a good look at when facing him multiple times in the Michigan-Ohio State rivalry.
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26. WASHINGTON COMMANDERS: MYKEL WILLIAMS, GEORGIA
The Commanders are building a good-looking defense under Dan Quinn, but they still need talent and depth at edge rusher. Williams is a high-floor player who is as strong as an ox with long arms, but his pass-rush game is still developing (he might not be a high-sack player). I do like him for the Commanders, though, since they would get stouter with his presence.
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27. BALTIMORE RAVENS: T JOSH CONERLY JR., OREGON
Oregon’s Conerly took a big step up in pass protection this year. He allowed just 10 pressures on 521 pass-blocking snaps while earning a 78.0 PFF pass-blocking grade on true pass sets. He is a true junior with two years of starting experience under his belt. The NFL will love the potential.
28. MINNESOTA VIKINGS: CB TREY AMOS, OLE MISS
The Vikings could lose a good chunk of their cornerback room to free agency this March. Amos brings ideal length to the position at 6-foot and 190 pounds with long arms. He forced 14 incompletions this season, tied for the seventh most in the FBS.
29. BUFFALO BILLS: CB JAHDAE BARRON, TEXAS
Barron went from a starting safety to a starting slot defender to a starting outside cornerback over the past three seasons and thrived at all three spots. This year was his most productive. As an off-zone defender, he recorded five interceptions and 10 forced interceptions with a 91.6 PFF coverage grade in 2024.
30. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES: EDGE PRINCELY UMANMIELEN, OLE MISS
The Eagles are a tough team to mock for these days due to how well general manager Howie Roseman has built the roster. However, with edge rushers Brandon Graham retiring and Josh Sweat set to hit free agency, perhaps another pass-rusher is in store for them in Round 1. Umanmielen put up great pass-rushing numbers over 2023 and 2024 (two consecutive seasons with a pass-rush win rate above 22%). He has some of the best burst and bend in the class.
31. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS: EDGE MIKE GREEN, MARSHALL
Green, even as just a redshirt sophomore, was an absolute stud for the Thundering Herd this season. He earned a 92.0 PFF overall grade, thanks to a 90.1 PFF run-defense grade and a 91.0 PFF pass-rush grade. He is still young as a pass-rusher but has a good bag of moves and an NFL-level first step.
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32. DETROIT LIONS: EDGE LANDON JACKSON, ARKANSAS
As we head into the playoffs, Aidan Hutchinson still leads the Lions in sacks (7.5). It’s safe to say they need some pass-rush help this offseason. Jackon is a unique edge rusher because of his 6-foot-7 frame and 275-pound weight. Yet, he has good burst and some intriguing bend for a player with those measurables. I expect the Lions to like his profile.
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