Overview: 

Visit Durango is launching a “Pilot Partner Co-Op Program” to help local tourism businesses expand their reach through shared sales, marketing, and public relations opportunities. One of the first initiatives within this program is a cost-share opportunity for local partners to participate alongside Visit Durango at the IPW trade show, the largest international travel trade marketplace in the United States, taking place May 17-21, 2026, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. 

Through this program, qualified participating partners will join Visit Durango in showcasing the destination to a global audience of tour operators, travel advisors, media, and tourism buyers. By presenting Durango together as a unified destination, partners can highlight their individual offerings while benefiting from the visibility and credibility of the broader Durango brand.

Purpose:

Provide a cost-share marketing opportunity for local tourism partners to participate in a coordinated IPW presence, expanding Durango’s visibility in domestic and international markets. This program allows partners to represent the destination together on the world’s largest travel trade floor, connecting directly with qualified buyers, media, and tour operators. By participating, partners can showcase their offerings in a one-stop shop environment, strengthen the Durango brand, and maximize opportunities to generate contracted business and partnerships that reach beyond Colorado to national and international markets. 

Benefits:

Leverage collective marketing dollars for greater reach, strengthen Durango’s brand presence at IPW, gain direct access to qualified buyers and media, and participate in one of the industry’s premier trade shows. IPW registration (a $2,500 value) is fully covered; travel and accommodations are the responsibility of participants. This opportunity provides statewide, national, and international exposure for your business.

Evaluation:

Applicants are required to have both an attending representative who is authorized to negotiate rates and sign contracts and the ability to offer contracted group rates and net pricing; failure to meet both requirements will result in disqualification.

Your application will be graded on the following categories:

• 10% Business Type & Product Offerings: Type of business, product description, packaging with other local partners
• 10% IPW Readiness: Previous IPW/trade show attendance
• 15% Group Capacity & Booking Practices: Maximum group size, ideal group size, lead time for bookings
• 15% Market Reach & Relevance: Key domestic/international markets currently served
• 10% Partnership Potential: Participation in local packages, ability to collaborate with other partners
• 15% Goals & Alignment Clarity and strength of primary goals for participating in IPW (e.g., generating contracted business, increasing exposure, building partnerships)
• 10% Operational Readiness: Contracting/rate-loading process clarity, ability to handle bookings efficiently
• 15% Overall Fit for IPW Co-op: Strategic fit with destination marketing goals, overall potential to represent Durango effectively

Timeline:

The application link will be posted to the Visit Durango City website on March 3 and will remain live for two weeks. Applications will close on March 17, and an internal staff review panel will evaluate submissions on March 18, scoring each application using the established evaluation matrix and compiling rankings with supporting notes to ensure transparency. Final application materials will be submitted for inclusion in the Tourism Advisory Commission (TAC) packet on March 19, and at the March 26 TAC meeting, staff will present the scored applications along with a resolution for TAC to formally approve the recommended awardees, with any prospective applicants serving on the TAC required to recuse themselves. Notifications of approval will likely be distributed on March 27, following TAC action.

This form is hosted on Submittable, which allows you to create a free account, save your progress, invite collaborators, and return later to finish your submission at your own pace. If you experience any technical issues, please visit Submittable’s Help Center.

Call to Artists: Chapman Hill

Please review the following before submitting your application:

What You’ll Need:

• A design concept (sketch, rendering, etc.)
• A written description of your proposal
• Portfolio samples and resume
• An itemized budget and timeline
• Acknowledgment of insurance requirements

Time Line:

• Application Close: March 13, 2026
• Award Notification: March 20, 2026
• Final Documentation Due: April 10, 2026
• Installation to Begin: TBD (Weather dependent)
• Installation Completion: By August 15, 2026

Criteria

Your submission will be evaluated based on:

1. Creativity and Artistic Merit 
2. Durability and Safety
3. Budget and Feasibility
4. Artist’s Experience and Qualifications
5. Community Impact

Call to Artist Document: 

Review the full details and specifics of this project in the Call to Artists Document.

We look forward to seeing your creativity help bring Chapman Hill to life!

 Questions?

           Contact: Rachel Hart, Parks and Rec Dept.

           Email: Rachel.Hart@durangoco.gov 

           Contact: Jared Reed, Durango Creative District

  Email: Hello@DurangoCreativeDistrict.org

Visit the Submittable Help Center for troubleshooting tips and support.

¿Necesita ayuda en Español? Llamar: 970-764-7135

Durango Impact  & Resiliency Grant: Overview and Purpose

The purpose of the Durango Impact Grant & Resiliency Grant is to encourage community-driven efforts that enhance resilience, advance sustainability goals, and strengthen La Plata County as a socially and environmentally responsible destination to live and visit.   

Projects supported by the grant aim to:

• Positively impact the community-wide sustainability objectives outlined in Destination Management Master Plan and the Consumption & Waste section of Durango's Sustainability Plan.
• Support and enhance ongoing local sustainability initiatives that visitors and residents experience, and develop new sustainable tourism-oriented organizations and businesses.
• Strengthen the community’s resilience to the environmental, social, and economic impacts of climate change as a destination.
• Reduce and prevent negative social and environmental impacts related to the overuse of natural and community resources.
• Reduce the amount of waste sent to the landfill from Durango.

Eligible Expenses

This grant is open to Durango-based businesses, community organizations, and non-profits.

Project must either:

• Support destination stewardship and sustainable tourism (protect and conserve environmental and cultural resources), AND/OR
• Reduce material and food waste by improving re-use, recycling, composting, or other landfill diversion efforts.

This is a reimbursement grant: proof of expenses and project progress is required in order to receive payment.

Eligible expenses include: equipment, supplies, materials, fees for services, and contracted labor. Administrative/general operating expenses and staff-time associated with the grant project (a.k.a. indirect or F&A costs) are allowable but cannot exceed 15% of total budget.

Ineligible expenses include: disposable items (e.g. plastic tablecloths, paper decorations, bottled water), alcohol or marijuana, political campaigning, and activities tied to fundraising of any kind.

Projects must comply with all city policies, codes, and ordinances as well as state and federal law.

Grants are funded by local lodgers' taxes collected by the City of Durango as well as the City of Durango Sustainability Fee. As part of the grant review process, funding for projects will be matched to the appropriate funding source, based on the nature of the project and its described impacts.

Available Funding

In order to maximize the impact of limited grant dollars given the variety of proposed projects, partial funding awards for DIRG grants are common.

Typical DIRG grant request amounts range from $2,000-$10,000 for partial to full funding. Funding above $10,000 is allowable for "stretch" requests, up to a maximum of $20,000.

This grant utilizes a tiered application budget system - see application form for more information. Providing tiers allows the applicant to decide how a partial grant is spent, rather than the review group assuming how partial funding may impact your effort.

Scoring Criteria

Projects will be scored by a review working group utilizing the following criteria:

• Alignment with Grant Goals (30%)
• Measurable Impact (30%)
• Feasibility & Timeline (15%)
• Budget, Demonstration of Need, & Matching Funds (15%)
• Potential for Ongoing Impact (10%)

Grant Timeline

• Application period opens: Friday, March 6
• Application period closes (due date): Monday, April 6
• Workgroup reviews and scores applications: mid-April
• Recommendations submitted to City Council: Tuesday, April 28
• City Council reviews and approves awards: Tuesday, May 5
• Notices emailed to applicants, no later than: Friday, May 8
• Interim project check-in meeting August/September
• Final Report and Reimbursement Request, no later than: December 31

Extension requests must be submitted and approved in writing to City of Durango staff. Projects requesting extension into next year are subject to City Council budget appropriations and which may not be guaranteed approval.

The City of Durango and LPEA are committed to promoting the adoption of electric vehicles throughout our region. A key aspect of EV adoption is exploring the most cost-effective way to implement charging infrastructure for residents and businesses. The Level-1 Workplace Charging Grant is seeking interested community partners to explore the viability of level-1 charging in a workplace setting.

Funding amount: $10,000 per applicant site. Applicants may apply for up to two separate sites ($10,000 per site). A minimum of 10% match funding is required, but this requirement may be waived for sites that can demonstrate certain criteria as outlined in the grant application.

What is Level-1 Charging? Level-1 charging consists of providing a basic, standard electrical outlet at a parking space which allows drivers to use their own portable charging cables to plug in. This approach uses much more basic infrastructure compared to the Level-2 pedestal chargers which are also becoming commonplace. While Level-1 charging is not particularly fast, it can still add 20-40 miles of range to a typical EV when plugged in over the course of an entire workday - roughly equivalent to a gallon of gas.

Why Level-1 Charging at Workplaces? As EV charging becomes more commonplace, LPEA faces the challenge of continuing to provide reliable electricity in line with its adopted renewable energy goals. By increasing EV charging during the day, more of the power going to EV charging can be derived from solar PV. Additionally, daytime EV charging shifts electrical load away from peak evening hours – unlike residential charging which adds directly to evening peaks. Furthermore, level-1 charging infrastructure can be installed at a fraction of the cost of Level-2 or DC fast charging.

Additional resources provided through the program: In addition to grant funding, the City of Durango and LPEA staff are available to provide advising on project design and parking management best practices. LPEA will also supply monitoring hardware and assist with its setup to give business owners clear visibility into how much power their chargers are using, independent of the rest of the business's energy consumption.

The Charge Ahead Colorado grant program is a separate EV charging grant program administered by the Colorado Energy Office, focused on Level-2 and Direct Current Fast Charging (DCFC) charging. City of Durango staff can advise applicants on how these programs may be a consideration for their site.

Re:New Grant Application

The Re:New Grant is a 1:1 matching reimbursement grant of up to $5,000 offered by the City of Durango to support visible improvements to commercial and mixed-use properties. The program is designed to help business and property owners invest in upgrades that strengthen Durango’s Character Districts while leveraging private investment.

Eligible projects must be visible from the public right-of-way, meaning a pedestrian can clearly see the improvements from the sidewalk or street. This is a reimbursement grant, so applicants must pay for the work up front and are reimbursed after the project is completed and approved.

The Re:New Grant supports projects that enhance the visual character of Durango, support local businesses, and help catalyze economic activity while strengthening the community’s tax base.

Full program details, design guidelines, and examples of eligible projects are available at: https://www.durangoco.gov/1670/ReNew-Grant

Key Program Details

Grant amount: 1:1 match, up to a maximum City contribution of $5,000

Eligibility:

• Commercial and mixed-use property owners
• Business owners with at least two years remaining on their lease and written property owner approval

Project visibility: Improvements must be visible from the public right-of-way

Project status: New projects only. Applications must be submitted before work begins

Funding type: Reimbursement only. Payments are made after project completion  

Application Timeline and Review

Applications accepted: January 1 through October 1, or until funds are exhausted

Monthly deadline: Applications must be submitted by 4:00 p.m. on the 15th of the month to be considered for the following months City Council meeting

Project completion deadline: All projects must be completed by December 1st

Review process: 

• Applications are reviewed by City staff for eligibility and completeness
• Final funding decisions are made by Durango City Council

Reimbursement timing: Reimbursement requests are due within 90 days of award or by December 1st, whichever comes first. Once received, reimbursements may take up to 30 days to process.  

How Applications Are Evaluated

Applications are evaluated based on:

• Overall impact
• Compatibility with and advancement of the City’s Design Guidelines
• Visual impact from the public right-of-way
• Quality and clarity of the proposal  

Before You Apply

Applicants are encouraged to schedule a pre-application meeting with City staff to confirm eligibility and readiness. All projects must comply with the City of Durango’s Commercial Design Guidelines and applicable land use standards.

Additional questions?

Email: tommy.crosby@durangoco.gov or call 970-375-4855 

Please enter your organization's Legal name, EIN, or UEI below. This will link your application to your organization's IRS or SAM.gov portal. If you prefer, you can also click "Skip" to proceed directly to the application.

Durango Creates! Grant Application 

Creative community projects that enhance Durango’s unique sense of place

Notices

• Applicants cannot receive funding from both Durango Creates! and the Lodgers Tax Arts and Culture Grant.
• Marketing expenses are not eligible under this grant.

Overview

This program is designed to encourage creative projects that can be enjoyed by the public based on a concept called creative placemaking. Creative placemaking capitalizes on the community’s assets, inspiration, and potential with the intention of creating public spaces that promote health, happiness, and well-being. The purpose of the grant is to increase interest and engagement in areas across all of Durango.

This grant originated to encourage a concentration of creative projects in the North Main and Camino character districts, increasing interest and engagement in these areas. While the grant still encourages creative projects in character districts, it is available for experiences across all of Durango city limits. Projects must be publicly accessible and free to the public. This grant is open to individuals, businesses, neighborhood groups and non-profits.

Applications are due Tuesday, March 10th, and award notifications will be made on April 10th. A second round will open in June.

Goals

1. Invest in small-scale community-driven projects focused on placemaking and community engagement.
2. Catalyze and enhance the connection between arts and culture and local businesses. 
3. Support creative professionals and encourage cross-industry relationships.
4. Provide cultural experiences that are free and open to the public   

Process

• Step 1: Identify the project, location, and partners
• Step 2: Ensure all projects have necessary permits and preliminary approvals 
• Step 3: Complete and submit Durango Creates! application
• Step 4: Durango Creative District staff reviews application for eligibility and completion
• Step 5: Durango Creative District review committee evaluates and awards funding
• Step 6: Implement Project
• Step 7: Submit appropriate paperwork for reimbursement no later than December 1, 2025.

Applicants with questions are encouraged to contact the Durango Creative District at Hello@DurangoCreativeDistrict.org. 

Evaluation Guidelines

1. Quality of project – were reviewers happy with the quality of the project?
2. Creativity – is this a new event or a continuing project?
3. DEI components – is the project created by/for, available, accessible, marketed to, and attended by multiple cultures, age demographics, and communities?
4. Community Engagement – how will this project engage various cohorts of our community?
5. Collaboration – who did you partner with for this event?
6. Off-Season impact – does the project take place outside of the summer months?
7. Duration – is this a one-time event, permanent, or temporary project? How will it be maintained?
8. Environmental sustainability – does the project abide by, and respect community efforts for environmentally sustainable activities?
9. Quality of proposal – does the proposal meet all requirements and include all necessary supplementary documents?

Each category will be scored on a 1 – 9 scale (1 = poor, 9 = exceptional). Evaluations with the highest cumulative score are likely to receive funding closer to their requested amount. Certain categories may not apply to certain projects, and that will be considered during the evaluation.

Before submitting, make sure you review the full rubric on the Durango Create! webpage for complete details: https://www.durangoco.gov/1669/Durango-Creates-Grant

 Please enter your organization's Legal name, EIN, or UEI below. This will link your application to your organization's IRS or SAM.gov portal. If you prefer, you can also click "Skip" to proceed directly to the application.