BID Programs
BID Programs – Durango Business Improvement District
The Business Improvement District oversees and financially supports a variety of programs to help enhance “Business in the BID.”
Umbrella Promotions
To showcase all activities in the community at a given period during the year through radio and print advertising, posters and more, the BID has established a variety of “umbrella” promotions. “Spring it On!” highlights those events held in May, just prior to the summer tourism season. In October, “Fall For Downtown Durango Days” reminds that just because the days are growing short, there’s no shortage of activities in Durango. HOLiDAZZLE kicks off the day after Thanksgiving and promotes events and activities throughout the holiday season.
Special Event Grants
Though the BID may, in the future, develop a Downtown conference and events center to help facilitate larger events and attract new markets to town, it currently devotes a portion of its budget to special event marketing. Dollars are granted to various presenting organizations specifically for marketing their events outside of Durango – enabling these organizations to reach audiences out of range of their small budgets and bring new visitors to town.
Event/Organization Incubation
Taking a bigger picture view, the BID regularly seizes on opportunities to help create or incubate new events and activities not already organized by the City or other organizations. For example, the BID formulated the concept for, and helped fund, the inaugural Showcase of the Arts – a multi-week celebration of Durango as an “Arts Community” and now overseen by the Durango Arts Center. Weekly after-work Bocce Ball matches in Buckley Park is another brainchild of the BID, plus the organization was an early financial supporter of the fledgling Four Corners Film Office, formed to help facilitate movie and television production in the region.
Infrastructure and Beautification
Over the years, the BID, in conjunction with the City of Durango, has helped build a special event infrastructure to facilitate Downtown events, including, tents, bandstand, stage, sound system and more. The organization has also funded different capital items to enhance the Downtown experience for both locals and guests, such as smoker’s urns to combat the litter issue and permanent business directories to help make Downtown “user friendly.” To enhance overall beauty and cleanliness, the BID contracts services including power-washing of Downtown sidewalks and flower barrel maintenance.
Visitor Locator Guide
Each year the BID invests in design and production of the Visitor Locator Guide, which includes a map of the Downtown and North Main, plus a listing of key businesses and destinations of interest to guests of Durango. Free of charge, the guide is distributed at the BID co-sponsored Visitor Information Kiosk in the 700 block of Main, the Visitors Center in Santa Rita Park, and various hotels and tourist-related businesses throughout the region.
“Rhythms of Durango”
To help spur Downtown’s music scene and drive business to the many Downtown music venues, the BID produced a series of compilation music CDs known as “Rhythms of Durango,” which feature musicians and singer/songwriters who live and perform in and around Durango. The CDs, including a special “HOLiDAZZLE” version of Christmas songs, are available at various Downtown retail outlets.
