Sustainability 

The City of Durango is committed to improving public health and reducing the impact of its operations on our community and the environment.  Below are steps that the City of Durango has taken toward sustainability.

Energy Efficiency

• Burn fleet-generated waste oil to heat warehouse
• Motion-detecting lighting at some City facilities
• Monthly meetings with La Plata Electric Association to audit power usage in City facilities
• Energy efficient office equipment
• LED lighting for some City facilities
• HVAC systems updated in yearly budget process
• Full-sized trucks replaced with compact trucks within City fleet when applicable

Water Efficiency

• Water-efficient landscape ordinance
• Water-efficient fixtures at City facilities

Reduce/Eliminate Waste

• Recycling services provided to La Plata and surrounding counties
• Environmental Purchasing Policy
• Only paper products recyclable in Durango's program are purchased by City
• All City facilities participate in recycling program
• Home composting and digester bin sales
• Electronic distribution of internal City publications
• Requirement for multi-family complexes to provide recycling opportunities to tenants
• Requirement for new businesses to provide space for recycling bins
• Requirement for submittals to consist of recyclable paper only (no binders, plastics)
• Electronic distribution of City's Annual Report
• Electronic distribution of City's Annual Budget
• Automotive waste from fleet vehicles recycled

Reduce/Eliminate Release of Pollutants

• Hybrid and Flex fuel (ethanol) fueled vehicles included in City fleet
• Stormwater runoff treated for removal of pollutants for City projects
• Stormwater runoff treated for private projects over ½ acre
• Storm sewer outfalls monitored for pollutants

Renewable & Innovative Products and Processes

• Methane gas converted to electrical energy at City's wastewater treatment plant
• Digester to heat water for City's wastewater treatment plant building
• Biosolids applied to agricultural lands
• Synthetic oils used in City fleet
• Purchase of environmentally preferable alternatives promoted
• Recycled glass mulch used as bedding material for underground water lines and for landscaping
• No idling encouraged for City vehicles

Support Biodiversity

• bear-resistant refuse containers available to residents
• Fruit trees allowed in City landscaping
• 947 acres of Open Space

Sustainable Development

• Public library is registered under the LEED Green Building Rating System with Gold Rating
• Construction under way on new transit center and is registered under the LEED Green Building Rating System
• Green building techniques incorporated at police substation
• Walkable communities encouraged
• Extensive network of trails for pedestrians and bicycles
• Local purchasing of goods encouraged
• Installation of solar hot water panels on Recreation Center

 
Improve Employee and Community Health & Safety

• Janitorial staff required to use green/safe products
• Co-sponsor household battery collection program for recycling
• Co-sponsor two computer & electronics recycling events annually
• Co-sponsor annual household chemical collection
• Maintain "Tree City USA" designation
• Annual health fair for City employees
• Recycling program for scrap metal
• Recycling program for fluorescent bulbs

 
Educate and Train Staff & Community about Sustainable Practices

• Green Team
• U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement
• City of Durango Comprehensive Plan
• Recycling informational booth at special events
• Green Business Roundtable
• 4 CORE steering committee, board of directors & financial support
• Grassroots Visioning Team
• State Pollution Prevention Advisory Board Assistance Committee
• "Green Scene" in City newsletter
• FLC Presidents Advisory Council on Environmental Affairs
• San Juan Basin Recycling Association
• Water Information Program Steering Committee
• Stormwater pollution prevention brochure (Commercial & Residential)
• Curb markers for stormwater education
• Wetland education program at Three Springs
• Tours of the Recycle Center
• Waterwise gardening presentations
• Children's Water Festival
• Recycle drop-off site monitors
• Green Events Guide