La Plata County boards weigh tavern license, school funds, and community corrections placements in busy two-week stretch
La Plata County's boards and commissions covered ground from public health staffing to land subdivision over the past two weeks. Because minutes have not yet been published for any of the recent meetings, the roundup below reports what was scheduled for consideration rather than confirmed outcomes. Vote tallies and final decisions will be available once minutes are posted.
Board of County Commissioners — July 14
The Board of County Commissioners held a business meeting with several decision items on the agenda. A public hearing was scheduled on a new tavern application for JOJA, LLC dba Lakehouse Grill. The decision agenda included a new secure transportation application from Colorado Secure Transportation, LLC.
The consent agenda listed routine approvals, including a Secure Rural Schools Title I fund allocation for local school districts, an easement agreement with the City of Durango and Clearnetworx for utilities at the airport, and Resolution 2026-22 releasing $57,037.86 from the School Park Fund to Durango School District 9-R.
Board of County Commissioners — July 15 discussion
Commissioners met for a discussion session covering three topics. They were set to discuss how to administer childcare grants funded by lodging tax revenue, with three options on the table: in-house administration, expanding a contract with Team-Up, or issuing a request for proposals. The session also included a 2027 budget discussion for the commissioners' cost center and a monthly Road and Bridge budget report covering July and August work schedules. No decisions were scheduled.
Community Corrections Board Screening Committee — July 15
The screening committee was scheduled to review four community corrections placement applications, followed by an executive session and votes. The applicants listed were Desirae Cantu (case 23CR327), Jayrando James (case 26CR5014), Tabitha Lujan (case 25CR186), and Matthew Martinez (case 26CR112), all in 6th La Plata County. The public may request minutes to learn the accept or deny decisions.
Board of Health — July 8
The Board of Health held a special meeting and an annual retreat on the same day. The special meeting agenda included Resolution No. BOH-2026-04, which would add another regularly scheduled meeting to the 2026 board calendar, and consideration of a contract for a Medical Officer for the La Plata County Public Health Department. The annual retreat was procedural, consisting of team-building exercises with public health staff and state-required training for board members.
Joint City/County Work Session — July 14
La Plata County Commissioners and the Durango City Council met jointly to discuss collaborative projects. Agenda items included Manna 2025 outcomes and a 2026 joint sales tax request, a Durango Public Library and Library District ballot issue, a Wildfire and Watershed Protection Fund program update, the CR 250/251 completion project, and an Emergency Operations Center agreement.
Living with Wildlife Advisory Board — July 13
The advisory board's agenda included a presentation by Lt. Harrington and Adrian Archuleta on House Bill 26-1342, concerning negligently luring bears. The board was also scheduled to receive a wolf population update, a report on the Farmers Market held July 11, and a schedule for the 2027 Deer Awareness Banner. No decisions were indicated.
Other meetings
- **Historic Preservation Review Commission** (July 15): Work session on a joint CO 150 & US 250 celebration project with the City of Durango Historic Preservation Board.
- **Southwest La Plata Library District** (July 16): Special meeting to begin work on a 10-year strategic plan with Colorado State library staff. No formal action was scheduled.
- **Lake Durango Water Authority** (July 16): Monthly board meeting covering the General Manager's report on administration, rate relief, source, and treatment, plus discussion of the Lake Durango Tank/Bank and approval of bills.
Coming up
- **July 20 — Southwest La Plata Library District work session**: Continues work on the 10-year strategic plan. The regular board meeting was cancelled and replaced by this public work session. No official action will be taken.
- **July 22 — Board of County Commissioners discussion**: Includes a quarterly report from the Treasurer and Public Trustee and a discussion of fuel vendor issues with Atlantic Petroleum, including billing discrepancies and delays tied to Bulk Fuel project # 26-009-0860.
- **July 23 — Planning Commission work session**: Discussion of proposed Comprehensive Plan updates and revisions to housing-related land use code. No decisions indicated.
- **July 23 — Planning Commission regular meeting**: Public hearing on PL20250114 Lins Pitchford Minor Subdivision, a proposal to split 53.163 acres into three lots at TBD CR 214, Durango (APN 590736400052). The agenda is interim and may be updated.