Chapter Profile Report

 

Chapter name:  Southwest Colorado Chapter

 

 

Description of the Community (include information on population, demographics, major industries, etc.

La Plata County - La Plata County is in the southwest corner of Colorado with a total area of 385.1 square miles. Within La Plata County borders includes the Southern Ute Indian Reservation, and a small corner of the Ute Mountain Ute Indian Reservation.

Durango is the largest city in La Plata County and is the county seat, handling most state and federal concerns for both La Plata County and San Juan County.  Bayfield would be considered the second largest city (~1,865 households), with Ignacio (~850 households) being third within La Plata County.  Within the county are numerous county roads linking ranches, gas wells and logging sites.  The proliferation of out-of way communities creates potential problems for accessibility during adverse weather.

Over 43,000 people live in La Plata County.  A significant portion of the population is the 4,000 strong student body attending Fort Lewis College in Durango.  The local population (~ 17,109 households) is boosted during the summer since Mesa Verde National Park and the Durango & Silverton Narrow gauge Railroad, as well as the numerous outdoor activities making the area a primary tourist destination.

San Juan County- San Juan County covers an area of 388 square miles, 95% of which is public land.  Silverton, a historic mining landmark is the county’s one town with a population of less than 600 individuals.  The population doubles in summer in support of retail operations for train-riding tourists.

Archuleta County - 95 % of Archuleta County is public land, and within it is nestled Pagosa Springs, a small town at the foot of Wolf Creek Pass, and the county’s principle town.  The county has a population of 9,898, and is the heartland of hunting, fishing & other outdoor activities, which brings in a large amount of tourists.

Montezuma County -Roughly one half of the county is Ute Mountain Reservation.  One fourth of the county is public land/mountains with half of the lower country being farmland.  The balance of the county is arid and not economically productive.  Mesa Verde National Park attracts tourists as well as the hunting, fishing and outdoor activities common to Southwest Colorado.  The county population registers around 24,000.

Dolores County - Dolores County encompasses half mountains, half irrigated farmland.  Sparse population finds the principle town to be Dove Creek, which has about 1,900 people.  Other small sites service the farming communities with fuel and supplies.  Farming and tourism support the population of ~1,844 residents. 

Chapter Information

Chapter Name:  Southwest Colorado Chapter

Physical Address:  1911 Main Avenue, Durango, CO 81302

Mailing Address:  P.O. Box 2552, Durango, CO 81302

Phone:  970-259-5383                                    Fax:  970-392-0563

Current Annual Budget:        $180,000

Number of Employees:        2

Number of Volunteers:          80 (active)

Current Status: 

Community Standing:  Excellent.  Mutually supportive relationships exist with local fire departments, office of emergency management, health departments, sheriff's office etc...  The community is supportive of the RC and the programs it offers. 

Fundraising Capabilities:  Annual fundraising events exist in La Plata County, but not in Archuleta, San Juan, Montezuma or Dolores County.  The opportunity exists to develop fundraising events in these outlying areas, raising additional funds to support the needs of the community and the chapter.

Direct mail campaigns are in place in each county within our service area.

Strengths:  Our greatest strength within the community would be the relationships we've developed in La Plata and surrounding counties over the last 3 years.  The RC is well respected among our peers, working collaboratively on exercises, response plans, and national grant funding. 

The chapter is also a member of  the Southwest Regional Emergency Planning Committee, Heart Safe La Plata, and participates in multiple disaster drills per year, which are hosted by various community agencies.

Areas targeted for development and improvement:  A targeted area for development, should include increasing the financial support from city and county governments in Montezuma, Archuleta & Dolores County.  While these local governments support our services, and departments within these governments are supportive of the work we do, we've seen zero government funding from these counties. 

While we have a dedicated group of volunteers in Montezuma/Dolores Counties, a recruitment push needs to be made in these areas to supplement our existing volunteer base, and bolster our DAT and health & safety program in these areas.

To-date we've been unsuccessful in recruiting a board member to represent Montezuma and Dolores County, although efforts have been made.  Recruitment efforts need to continue in finding a representative.

Assessment of the strengths of current employees and volunteers:  Although the chapter operates with a very small staff, the employees and individuals who volunteer their time at the chapter, are incredibly committed to the organization, providing quality service and ensuring the mission of the RC is met. 

Chapter goals for next year:

·        Increase financial viability of the chapter

·        Increase the number of health & safety and disaster volunteers in all counties

·        Strengthen the disaster response system within each of the counties.

·        Increase the number of individuals who are engaged in the mission of the Red Cross, which includes volunteers and financial donors.

·        Ensure that our chapter staff, board and volunteers are representative of the community it serves.

·        Guarantee efficient administrative and fundraising performance in order to maximize resources dedicated to programs and services.

·        Undertake focused efforts to prepare people and organizations for disasters and life-threatening emergencies.

·        Establish strong community partnerships at all levels with government, businesses, nonprofit organizations and major donors, focusing on Red Cross core services.

Strategic or long-term goals (capital campaigns, large grant oversight, high-visibility projects):

·        Hiring of a grant writer or fund development individual.

·        Improve the chapter readiness level

·        Recruit qualified volunteers to serve in leadership positions, with representation from all 5 counties