Quick and Dirty
• Drivers turn over a new Leaf • 9-R pitches in to keep libraries open • McLachlan 'Rural Schools Champ'
Drivers turn over a new Leaf
Durango just got a lot greener this spring. The Four Corners Office of Resource Efficiency, or 4CORE, announced this week that it reached its goal and then some with its Nissan Leaf group buy program. From April 5 – May 25, 28 local residents took advantage of more than $20,000 in incentives and rebates to buy one of the zero-emission vehicles from Nissan of Durango. The goal of the program, done in conjunction with the Colorado Energy Office's Re-fuel Program, was to sell 20 of the vehicles.
Buyers received a $10,000 rebate on new 2017 Nissan Leafs as well as the option to apply their $5,000 state tax credit to the price as well. They will also receive a federal tax credit of up to $7,500 on their 2018 taxes, dropping the price of a new Leaf (average $35,000) to a mere $12,500.
That is in addition to the $900-$1,000 drivers will save annually in fuel costs, according to 4CORE Executive Director Laurie Dickson. “(It’s) not just about buying a car at a cheap price ... it’s about developing the whole culture around electric vehicles and alternative fuels,” she said.
The Leaf can travel 107 miles on one charge. On average, it releases about 6,500 pounds of CO2 emissions a year; 43 percent less than a conventional gas car. With the recent Durango group purchase, about 138,712 pounds of CO2 emissions a year will be kept out of the local airshed.
Currently, the only public EV charging station in Durango is at the Durango Transit Center, on 8th Street, for $1.80/hour. However, according to 4CORE, a new charging station is under construction at La Plata Electric Association headquarters in Bodo Park and another one is slated for Mercy Regional Medical Center later this summer. Two other new locations are also in the works. The stations are funded by the Charge Ahead Colorado Grant, and a new round of grants is available through June 15. For more info., call 4CORE at 970-259-1916 or email info@fourcore.org
9-R pitches in to keep libraries open
Despite cuts to La Plata County’s ever-tightening budget, the satellite branches of the Durango Public Library will remain open. Thanks to funds from Durango School District 9-R and Friends of the Durango Public Library, branch libraries at Sunnyside and Fort Lewis Mesa elementary schools will continue to operate into next year.
“The intent is for 9R to absorb the branch library staff and keep libraries open at least on the current schedule,” 9-R Superintendent Dan Snowberger said. He added that the district will likely test expanded hours next year to gauge demand for the libraries. The district received funding through the Sustainability of Rural Colorado Act.
In addition to 9-R covering the staffing expenses, Friends of the Durango Public Library has indicated it will provide funding for books and supplies at the branch libraries.
In the long-term, 9-R, Durango Public Library staff and La Plata County will work together with community members served by the libraries to craft a long-term plan for ensuring resources are available at the branch libraries.
La Plata County is projecting significant revenue declines in 2018 and funding for the libraries was cut to make ends meet. “Next year’s anticipated revenue decline has forced the county’s hand in not being able to fund the libraries,” County Commissioner Julie Westendorff said. “The libraries are very important educational and community centers. I look forward to working with 9-R and the community to help identify long-term, sustainable funding.”
The Sunnyside (CR 218) and Fort Lewis Mesa (11274 HWY 140) branches’ regular hours are Mondays, 1 – 7 p.m. and Tues. – Thurs., 2 – 7 p.m. However, the Fort Lewis Mesa branch will be closed June 5 through at least July 5 for asbestos abatement at the school. June and July reading programs will take place at the Breen Community Hall, at the intersection of Hwy 140 and CR 141.
McLachlan ‘Rural Schools Champ’
Durango’s freshman Democratic lawmaker, Rep. Barbara McLachlan, has only been on the job for a few months but has already gained accolades for her work. On Tuesday, the former teacher was named “2017 Rural Schools Champion” by the Colorado Rural Schools Alliance.
Started in 2003, the mission of the alliance is to advocate and increase opportunities for Colorado’s rural students. It includes 148 communities throughout the state, including the Eastern Plains, Western Slope, Northwest Colorado, San Luis Valley and the mountains. Durango, Bayfield, Pagosa, Dolores, Telluride and Montrose are all members.
McLachlan’s first bill, HB17-1003, designed to address the teacher shortage in rural Colorado, was recently signed into law. A companion bill, HB17-1176, which allows retired teachers to return to the classroom without losing their retirement benefits, is awaiting the governor’s signature.
“I ran for office because I want to see public education truly valued,” McLachlan said. “It’s been so rewarding to pass legislation that focuses on providing opportunities for every student in my district and the state. I’ve been able to get people talking about education in new ways.”
According to McLachlan, the teacher shortage has reached “crisis mode” in rural areas. “I’ve seen firsthand, especially in the most remote areas of my district, how hard it can be to attract and keep good teachers,” she said.
In addition to these bills, McLachlan also passed HB17-1306, which funds testing for lead in school drinking water. “Every student in Colorado ... should have a chance to advance themselves,” she said. “This is true for urban Colorado, and it’s true for rural Colorado.”
Sen. Don Coram, R-Montrose, was also named Rural Schools Champion by the Colorado Rural Schools Alliance for his work this session.