DW2 Trails - District Trail Map
Wildfire Mitigation Resources: Durango West Metro District No. 2 has completed major wildfire mitigation projects on our greenbelt areas. We will continue each year to conduct maintenance projects. Residents are responsible for conducting their own mitigation. Please see our local Wildfire Adapted Partnership website for more mitigation resources: https://www.wildfireadapted.org/resources.
Living with Wildlife Guide: Abundant wildlife adds to our quality of life in DW2. Predators such as bears, coyotes, and mountain lions are vital to maintaining healthy ecosystems in our area. However, as La Plata County’s wildland/urban interface increases, so does the potential for wildlife conflicts. Living with Wildlife Advisory Board (LWAB) addresses this challenge with a “WildSmart” approach that involves working pro-actively with residents. The concept of “WildSmart” can be realized in La Plata County by residents applying our ‘Avoiding Conflicts with Wildlife’ strategy at their homes and while recreating outdoors. Read about how you can avoid conflicts with wildlife. LWAB resources and links
Bear Smart Guide: bears are our neighbors in DW2 and are around at various times of year. They are particularly active in late summer to fall when they are bulking up for hibernation and in the spring when they come out of hibernation. They sometimes even frequent the area when there is not enough food during the summer months in their normal habitat areas. This means being BearSmart and BearAware. Residents must leave their trash containers inside until the morning of trash pick-up day. Living with Wildlife Advisory Board recommends not feeding songbirds from April to November as there is other food for them and feeders attract bears. If you do feed hummingbirds, they suggest taking the feeders in at night. La Plata County has an ordinance that fines residents at least $200 for not securing trash containers from wildlife. You can report trash can raids by bears to County Dispatch at 385-2900. Please bearsmartdurango.org for more information.
Dog Nuisance Barking: La Plata County Code defines and prohibits nuisance barking. Residents can all Animal Control and/or La Plata County Sherriff’s Dept. anytime. Animal Control will ask you to fill out a formal “Nuisance Barking Statement” . They suggest using a smart phone to record the dog barking, with date and time. Chapter 10 of the LPC Code is Licensing, Control and Treatment of Animals. Page 15 of 22 is specific to Nuisance Barking – Warnings, Fines, and Court Appearances. To report a violation of the code, please contact the La Plata County Humane Society at (970) 259-2847 or visit www.lpchumanesociety.org.
Dog Harassing Wildlife: The Living with Wildlife Advisory Board tells residents: Do not let dogs roam when they are outside. Always keep your dog on leash while hiking or walking to prevent wildlife conflicts. Wildlife raise their young in the summer and dogs off leash may create fatal interference. Winter greatly decreases the ability of wildlife to maintain energy and dogs off leash can exacerbate the situation.
For concerns with dogs out of the owner's control or property, please contact the county sheriff or Animal Protection (970) 259-2847. For dogs harassing wildlife, it should be reported to (970) 247-0855.
Evacuation Checklists: La Plata County Before Evacuation Checklist La Plata County During Evacuation Checklist
For more resources, visit www.co.laplata.co.us/departments/emergency_management/faqs.php
Code Red: Register with Code Red or Update and Add a Group. The Office of Emergency Management encourages everyone to enroll in CodeRED, their Emergency Alert & Warning notification system. They use this to advise you of emergencies affecting your home or designated addresses, and actions to take. You can visit their web page for instructions or click here for a PDF version. Code Red Sign up Code Red Update
The county also encourages you to sign up for alerts for your Community Group. They will be sending information specific to neighborhoods, HOAs and subdivisions regarding the exercise, evacuation routes, and schedules.