Meet the candidates
Council hopefuls weigh in, and a little bit on Ballot Measure 2A

Yes, it’s true. With ballot fatigue still fresh in voters’ minds, it’s time to head back to the voting booth, or in this case the drop-off box. But fear not – the ballots that arrived in Durango voters’ mailboxes last week are for a relatively mild city election and entail filling in only four ovals.

The April 1 election entails a City Council race, in which five candidates, including two incumbents, are vying for three at-large seats for a four-year term.

There is also a ballot measure, 2A, which asks voters to renew the one-half of 1% sales tax (aka 50 cents on a $100 purchase) that was originally passed in 2005. Fifty percent of the half-cent tax will go toward parks, open space, trails and recreation projects. The other 50% will be used to finance capital improvements associated with renovating the old high school into a new city hall and police department. To finance the project, the City would take out a $61 million bond, which would be repaid at a cost of $123 million.  

To read up on the pros and cons, check out the City’s handy “Municipal Election Informational Booklet,” or visit the fact page at: tinyurl.com/3fe3tynz.

There is no official organized opposition to the ballot measure, but to read one view against it, check out last week’s Soap Box section in the Telegraph. 

And now, without further ado, meet this year’s City Council candidates. We would like to thank all the candidates for taking time out of their ridiculously busy schedules to tackle our hard-hitting interrogation. Answers appear in the order they were received.

Koso

Kip Koso

Day job: Recently retired but certainly doing part-time work as the Board Chair for Local First and Board Chair for Big Brothers Big Sisters in 2025.

When not working, you can find me: Hiking Horse Gulch in the wee hours of the morning, volunteering for a variety of local nonprofits, or walking downtown to a variety of favorite restaurants and stores including Steamworks, Esoterra, Guild House Games, Urban Market, Cream Bean and Primi.

Animal you most personify: The Frumious Bandersnatch (just to make folks look up one of my favorite poems, “Jabberwocky.”)

Current binge watch/stream or read: Just finished the series “Shogun” (the 2020s version, not the 1980s version, although both are great!)

Favorite pizza topping: Chorizo

If elected, what do you see as the most pressing issues facing Durango, and what will you do to address them? I see a host of issues that need addressing but have tried to focus on three that span across the services the city works on:

• Build an updated police department building - Ensuring the safety of our community requires the right infrastructure. The current police building is overcrowded, outdated and lacks essential security features, making it difficult for officers and staff to serve Durango’s growing needs. Ballot Measure 2A is a good way to address this issue, but if 2A does not pass, I will prioritize the establishment of a modern facility that meets our needs to improve emergency response, provide secure spaces for evidence and records, and create a safer environment for residents and staff. The old high school is a meaningful landmark, and 2A is an opportunity to repurpose it in a way that strengthens public safety.

• Improve childcare - The recent La Plata Economic Alliance report is an excellent way to understand the severity of the childcare problem in our community, identify resources needed and outline steps to make progress. Just as in affordable housing, the City can act as a catalyst, bringing together businesses, nonprofits and governmental entities to have conversations and find solutions. A strong childcare system benefits families, businesses and our entire community.

• Take advantage of the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity presented by Durango Mesa Park - This unique gem will need experience and determination to build the amenities to make it a world-class venue for biking, hiking, and (what I want to put a sharp focus on) concerts and performances. An arts and performance venue will generate revenue to help offset some of the buildout costs, which is important for long-term sustainability. The land donation and financial support from the Katz Foundation is incredibly rare for a city like Durango. We need to advance the partnership in the next four years and bring the vision to life. Doing so will create lasting quality of life for generations.

Buell

Jessica Buell (incumbent)

Day job: I’m a multi-tasking ninja. My official titles include “Mom of Four Boys, “Small Business Overlord” and “Mayor.” Unofficially, I’m a snack dispenser, mediator of epic sibling battles and a professional coffee consumer.

When not working, you can find me: Watching one of my sons in one of their 50 million activities and cheering them on from the sidelines, working out or running the Sky Steps, or meeting up with a friend in between the after-school activity pick-up and drop-off for a quick catch up!

Animal you most personify: A river otter! Why? They’re playful, adaptable and love working as a team. Plus, they know how to navigate a winding river, which is pretty much how I feel about local politics. And, let’s be honest, who doesn’t love an otter’s playful spirit? It keeps me sane during those long council meetings.

Current binge watch/stream or read: Right now, I’m trying to absorb the national political climate through a firehose. So, it’s a mix of news articles, policy briefs and whatever my kids are watching on TV. Mostly, I’m reading between the lines and hoping for a plot twist that benefits Durango.

Favorite pizza topping: Pepperoni, a classic.

If (re)elected, what do you see as the most pressing issues facing Durango, and what will you do to address them? Affordable housing. It was why I ran four years ago, and I think I can continue making great strides in this arena. I have voted in favor of every affordable housing initiative that has come before me, including affordable housing in our Strategic Plan.

I also will continue pushing for efforts from the city on creating an informed and engaged community (another effort I spearheaded to get on our Strategic Plan.) During my term, I implemented “Mayor Walk and Rolls” to become more accessible to constituents and pushed for more outreach).

Childcare is another important topic, and the City partnered with the La Plata Economic Development Alliance to get money for our childcare strategic plan and implement steps to tackle the childcare crisis in La Plata County.

 

Elias

 Chris Elias

 Day job: Owner and advisor to commercial cannabis company that my best friend and I created. I have stepped back and am not involved in day-to-day operations. 

When not working, you can find me: Up at Purg snowboarding or mtbing Horse Gulch, Test Tracks, Phil’s World and Pass Creek Trail. You can also find me boating the town run or other rivers in the Southwest, as long as friends get permits (fingers crossed).

Animal you most personify: (G)narwhal. It’s a majestic unicorn of the sea. I love the character Fry from “Futurama,” and he befriends a narwhal in the movie “Bender’s Big Score.” Also, I like packrafting, and when Alpacka Raft came out with their whitewater craft, it was called the “Gnarwhal.” I also have a narwhal onesie that I like to occasionally wear.

Current binge watch/stream or read: I just finished reading Zac Podmore’s “Life After Deadpool” and started Jonathan Thompson’s “River of Lost Souls.” I am always rewatching “Curb your Enthusiasm” but recently am watching “Righteous Gemstones” and “The White Lotus.”

Favorite pizza topping: Pineapple. I only say that to get a rise out of people. Haha.

If elected, what do you see as the most pressing issues facing Durango, and what will you do to address them? Affordable housing – we have a lot of working class people in Durango in the service industry. We need to address their needs for affordable places to live comfortably. As someone who has worked in the service industry the majority of his life, it can be disheartening watching people have second homes here while people are living paycheck to paycheck with roommates. 

I also would make sure the city keeps laying infrastructure for more development and work to have productive meetings with the county to make sure they are helping to address problem.

 

Bosmans

Olivier Bosmans (incumbent)

Day job: Current City Council member

When not working you can find me: Enjoying time with my family in our beautiful outdoors, skiing when we have snow and cycling during the warmer months. I like gardening and already started my tomatoes in early January.

Animal you most personify: Not sure, I will take a quiz some day and let you know.

Current binge watch/stream or read: “The Little Prince,” Durango High School had a play based on this book that I wanted to see but unfortunately was not able to. Having read this book many years ago, I will read it again given its many interesting aspects.

Favorite pizza topping: Pepperoni.

If (re)elected, what do you see as the most pressing issues facing Durango, and what will you do to address them? Affordability with housing and childcare are the key topics, and the financial performance with the many studies/projects that our community does not seem to want or need, and at a cost that seems hard to explain. But I believe it all starts with honesty, transparency, accountability and actually representing the people and businesses in our community.

 

Gonzalez

Shirley Gonzalez

Day job: I own Pedal the Peaks

When not working you can find me: Hanging out with my children at the rec center, in one of our many parks or at the hot springs. 

Animal you most personify: Hummingbird, because they inspire joy and connect me to my Mexican heritage. 

Current binge watch/stream or read: I enjoy reading fiction and love browsing at Maria’s Bookshop. 

Favorite pizza topping: I love vegetarian toppings from Home Slice and Fired Up. 

If elected, what do you see as the most pressing issues facing Durango and what will you do to address them? The most pressing issue in Durango is housing affordability. ?