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Durango considers 52-step Cities Work report to make starting a business ‘cheaper, faster, simpler’
Summary
A Cities Work analysis presented to Durango council identified 52 recommendations to simplify start-up processes — including three immediate no-cost actions (move liquor-license online, publish plain-language inspection checklists, launch a business welcome packet) — and proposed deeper code and permitting reforms.
Tommy Crosby, the city’s economic opportunity manager, told council that Cities Work’s year-long review and roundtables with more than 70 entrepreneurs found a fragmented system that requires about 52 steps across 12 agencies to open a restaurant in Durango. “They spent more hours than I could possibly imagine going through all of the city's permits, our code,” Crosby said.
Laura Kelly of Cities Work summarized the main finding: entrepreneurs want to comply but are often delayed by “surprise requirements” that force redesigns or extra expense. The report includes 52 recommendations ranging from quick administrative fixes to longer-term code reforms. Kelly highlighted three administrative changes the city could take immediately: “We can move the liquor license application online. We can formalize and publish plain language inspection checklists ... And we can launch a business welcome packet.”
Councilors asked how the city would select priorities from the report’s “menu” of options. Crosby said staff and departments will evaluate what is “genuinely obtainable in the short term,” and Cities Work offered to synthesize entrepreneur feedback and help draft ordinance language. Erin Jolley of the Good Food Collective described existing supports, including a bilingual business navigator and a commissary database that have helped local food entrepreneurs transition from idea to operation.
The presentation emphasized partnerships: Cities Work and local organizations said the recommendations are adaptable to neighboring jurisdictions, and staff described plans for launch events and follow-up conversations with entrepreneurs and departments. Tommy Crosby encouraged council participation in an upcoming report launch and recommended possible study sessions to prioritize next steps.
What’s next: the report is in the council packet for review; staff and Cities Work said they will convene follow-up meetings with entrepreneurs and departments and can provide draft ordinance language if council asks for a deeper study or specific reforms.
