Durango Transit has seen yet another record-setting year, and is on track to exceed the all-time record number of rides set in 2023. However, without new grants or other sources of funding, the local transportation organization will go into the negative in 2026, and will need to start cutting back services. The Multimodal Advisory Board has come up with possible solutions, and will continue to do so to keep the Durango Transit running. While school is solidly back in session, that doesn’t mean kids are out of options for activities! Durango Parks and Recreation have recently doubled scholarship allotments for qualifying youths 17 years and younger - scholarships can be used for Parks and Recreation activities or for facility passes. Looking for a good cause to support this holiday season? Southwest Colorado Gives through the Community Foundation Serving Southwest Colorado has a full list of local nonprofits across all five counties it serves. Kick off the giving event Friday, Nov. 1, and watch the fun all the way until Colorado Gives Day on Dec. 10. By Hannah Robertson. This story is sponsored by Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers and M&R Plumbing.
City of Durango - https://www.durangoco.gov/
Colorado Department of Transportation - https://www.codot.gov/
Durango Transit - https://www.durangoco.gov/333/Transit
Durango Parks and Recreation - https://www.durangoco.gov/1750/Parks-Recreation
Southwest Colorado Gives - https://www.coloradogives.org/community/Swcogives
Colorado Gives Day - https://www.coloradogives.org/
Community Foundation Serving Southwest Colorado - https://www.swcommunityfoundation.org/
Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers - https://www.freddys.com/location/durango-co
M&R Plumbing - https://www.mandrhomeservices.com/
Durango Transit continues to record record numbers, but without new funding sources, it will be forced to cut services by 2026. Durango Parks and Recreation has doubled the amount of scholarship allotments, expanding options for participation. And Colorado Give kicks-off November 1st, the annual push until Colorado Gives Day on December 10th. You're watching the "Local News Roundup," brought to you by Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steak Burgers and M&R Plumbing, I'm Sadie Smith. Durango Transit continues to report record ridership numbers. Since January of 2024, transit has given over 350,000 rides, and ridership is expected to exceed 2023 numbers. In fact, August set a record for single-month rides, with over 50,000, the highest since 2014. However, without new revenue sources, the transit may have to cut resources, as the fund balance is expected to go into the negative by 2026. Part of the lack of funding is due to grants delayed each of the past two years because of contracting issues at the Colorado Department of Transportation. The multimodal advisory board has come up with a couple of possible solutions, including a one-half-cent sales tax and increase in lodger's tax, increase in the marijuana tax, and expanding parking enforcement into weekends and evenings. The board will continue to look for additional sources of funding. Durango Transit has 18 vehicles that cover up to 175 miles a day, with fixed route trolleys, a microtransit fleet, a paratransit service, and a fixed-route mini bus fleet. The City of Durango relies heavily on grants to fund services, and the transit's largest sources of local revenue include the lodger's tax and parking revenue. Durango Parks and Recreation has doubled its scholarship allotments from $100 to $200 for qualifying families. The scholarships available to youths 17 and under can be used for facility passes and youth programs run by Durango Parks and Rec. The Durango Parks and Recreation Activity Guide can be found online with the full list of programs and activities offered. Call, email, or stop by the Parks and Rec administration office for information on all scholarships and to learn how to apply. Colorado Gives kicks off the holiday season, Friday, November 1st. Southwest Colorado Gives, in the collaboration effort by the Community Foundation serving Southwest Colorado, offers a single platform to support nonprofits in the La Plata, Archuleta, Montezuma, Dolores, and San Juan counties, and is part of the larger Colorado Gives organization. While donations can be made year-round, the period between the 1st of November and Colorado Gives Day, December 10th, is often a highlight of the donation year. In 2023, $54.2 million was donated statewide on Colorado Gives Day, and Southwest Colorado Gives alone recorded $675,000 in local donations going to local nonprofits. With over 200 nonprofits in the five county region, they're sure to be a cause for you. Find participating nonprofits and make your donations online at Southwest Colorado Gives website. Learn more about these and other stories online at durangolocal.news. Thank you for watching this edition of the "Local News Roundup," I'm Sadie Smith.
