Petition passes

In the April 21 issue, we reported on some Durango residents who were trying to collect enough signatures for a petition that would require a more robust public process, including hearings, for any proposed police or fire stations within city limits.

This petition, of course, was in response to Durango Fire Protection District’s ongoing plan to relocate its downtown station to the old 9-R Administration Building at 201 E. 12th St. Many residents who opposed the project say the process has not been transparent.

The petition needed 768 signatures, and all tallied up, received 771 valid signatures. Now, city councilors will decide at their May 17 meeting whether to adopt the petition as written or decide to hold a special election, likely in August. The election could cost up to $38,000.

“Please consider attending the May 17 council meeting to persuade the council to adopt our ordinance rather than spending all that money to ask Durango voters to vote on an ordinance which we know most Durango citizens support,” Greg Hoch, a former planning director and organizer, said.