The city of Durango has officially begun its merger with Visit Durango, a destination marketing and sustainable tourism nonprofit, bringing the operations of the Durango Welcome Center under city management.
Durango City Council approved a resolution on Tuesday authorizing the merger, which will start with the integration of two Visit Durango employees into the city’s sustainability and community development divisions and integration of the Durango Welcome Center into the city.
Durango Prosperity Officer Mike French said the merger offers several benefits, starting with strong fiscal oversight.
A forensic audit of Visit Durango, which is funded by city and La Plata County lodgers tax dollars, revealed the need for tighter financial oversight. In response to a question from Councilor Melissa Youssef, he said Visit Durango receives 55% of city lodgers tax funds, or a projected $2.6 million in 2025.
He said Visit Durango has 14 different paid softwares for marketing and data analysis the city will be able to take advantage of for driving community engagement and other needs, although it will take time to implement. He said the merger will not strain city staffing.
At a later date, likely in February, City Council will be presented with an ordinance that would establish a Prosperity Office and a Tourism Advisory Committee, completing the merger, said City Manager José Madrigal.
City Attorney Mark Morgan also addressed rumors that Mayor Jessika Buell has a conflict of interest in renting office space from Visit Durango at the Durango Welcome Center. He said Buell consulted with Morgan about that very issue, and Morgan informed her there is no conflict of interest.
He attempted to dispel the rumors on Wednesday, saying Buell is renting the space at a fair market rate, did not receive any favor such as getting the space ahead of someone else on a waiting list, and did not use her political position with the city to get the space.
“There is an individual in our community who is trying to make a living selling or giving advertisements on a website of conspiracy theories about the government,” he said. “And he’s made some accusations that there’s something nefarious about that arrangement. There absolutely is not. With this merger, I’m afraid that allegation will come again.”
He said he encouraged Buell to vote on the resolution approving the city and Visit Durango merger, adding again she has no conflict of interest to do so. He also advised Buell to again disclose her sublease of the office space at the Durango Welcome Center when it comes time for the city to take over the space’s lease. That would not be a conflict of interest either, he said, so long as Buell is not economically benefiting from the lease.
cburney@durangoherald.com