Durango Chamber of Commerce
  • Membership
    • Become a Member >
      • Apply On-Line
    • Members Login
    • Directory
    • Membership Structure >
      • Membership Tiers
      • Membership FAQ
    • Benefits of Membership >
      • Member-Only Perks
    • Advertising Opportunities
    • Sponsorship Opportunites
    • Testimonials
    • Submit Job Posting
  • Programs/Workshops
    • Chamber Communications >
      • Chamber News & Blog
      • Featured Article
      • Member Moment
      • Member Radio Interviews
    • Leads Group
    • Chamber Diplomats
    • Leadership La Plata >
      • Program Structure
      • LLP Commitees
      • History of LLP
      • LLP Barbara Conrad Award
      • Bylaws for LLP
      • Sponsors & Sponsorships
    • Young Professionals of Durango >
      • YPOD Apply On-Line
      • YPOD Board
    • Government Affairs Reports
    • Business Advocacy & Policy Guidelines
    • DURANGO ROCKS AWARDS Ceremony
    • Awards Nominations
    • Look Local First
    • Photo Gallery >
      • Snowdown Business After Hours 2023
      • Community Shred Day 2022
      • Girls Gone Golfing XV (2022)
      • Business After Hours Nov 2021
      • Business After Hours October 2021
      • Business After Hours Sept 2021
      • Business After Hours August 2021
      • Business After Hours July 2021
      • Business After Hours June 2021
      • Girls Gone Golfing XIV (2021)
  • Calendar
  • About Us
    • Board of Directors
    • Our Team
    • Chamber Facilities
    • Contact Us
  • Resources
    • Directory
    • Community Links
    • Business Resources
    • About Durango
    • Relocation >
      • Clubs and Organizations
      • Religious Organizations
      • Population and Employment
      • Active Seniors
      • Government
      • Education
      • Transportation
      • Sustainable Durango
      • Health Care
      • Real Estate and Construction
      • Banks/Mortgage/Insurance
      • Utilities
    • Visitor Information >
      • Lodging
      • Restaurants
      • Shopping
      • Transportation
      • Arts, Culture and Entertainment
      • Sports and Recreation
      • Health Care
    • Gift Cards & Certificates >
      • Hot Deals >
        • Coupons
    • Job Postings
    • Internships
    • COVID/PPP Related Information >
      • 5 Star Certification Program
  • Membership
    • Become a Member >
      • Apply On-Line
    • Members Login
    • Directory
    • Membership Structure >
      • Membership Tiers
      • Membership FAQ
    • Benefits of Membership >
      • Member-Only Perks
    • Advertising Opportunities
    • Sponsorship Opportunites
    • Testimonials
    • Submit Job Posting
  • Programs/Workshops
    • Chamber Communications >
      • Chamber News & Blog
      • Featured Article
      • Member Moment
      • Member Radio Interviews
    • Leads Group
    • Chamber Diplomats
    • Leadership La Plata >
      • Program Structure
      • LLP Commitees
      • History of LLP
      • LLP Barbara Conrad Award
      • Bylaws for LLP
      • Sponsors & Sponsorships
    • Young Professionals of Durango >
      • YPOD Apply On-Line
      • YPOD Board
    • Government Affairs Reports
    • Business Advocacy & Policy Guidelines
    • DURANGO ROCKS AWARDS Ceremony
    • Awards Nominations
    • Look Local First
    • Photo Gallery >
      • Snowdown Business After Hours 2023
      • Community Shred Day 2022
      • Girls Gone Golfing XV (2022)
      • Business After Hours Nov 2021
      • Business After Hours October 2021
      • Business After Hours Sept 2021
      • Business After Hours August 2021
      • Business After Hours July 2021
      • Business After Hours June 2021
      • Girls Gone Golfing XIV (2021)
  • Calendar
  • About Us
    • Board of Directors
    • Our Team
    • Chamber Facilities
    • Contact Us
  • Resources
    • Directory
    • Community Links
    • Business Resources
    • About Durango
    • Relocation >
      • Clubs and Organizations
      • Religious Organizations
      • Population and Employment
      • Active Seniors
      • Government
      • Education
      • Transportation
      • Sustainable Durango
      • Health Care
      • Real Estate and Construction
      • Banks/Mortgage/Insurance
      • Utilities
    • Visitor Information >
      • Lodging
      • Restaurants
      • Shopping
      • Transportation
      • Arts, Culture and Entertainment
      • Sports and Recreation
      • Health Care
    • Gift Cards & Certificates >
      • Hot Deals >
        • Coupons
    • Job Postings
    • Internships
    • COVID/PPP Related Information >
      • 5 Star Certification Program
Picture

History of Leadership La Plata ​

Leadership La Plata's roots date back to 1980 when current head of the Colorado State Transportation Commission and former Bank of Colorado President, B. Stephens (Steve) Parker, moved to Durango and suggested the idea to then Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Jasper Welch, now a business consultant and director of the Enterprise Center at San Juan College. Steve, who had lived and worked on the Front Range, had witnessed the success of Leadership Denver and saw the potential for a similar program in La Plata County.

Though the impetus was there, it took until 1988 when the Durango Area Chamber Resort Association (DACRA) was organized for LLP to be implemented.  Parker, Welch and Harold Green assembled the first Steering Committee comprised of individuals representing a cross-section of the county. The founding fathers and mothers wanted to ensure LLP was “community-based” and not an elite “club,” and that directive continues today. Founders include Barney Anderson, Richard Ballantine, Dan Bowser, Alice Joiner, Joel Jones, Bill Mashaw, Dave Potter, Tom Compton, Bill Gardner, Kay James and Leonel Silva. Leadership Montezuma and Leadership San Juan were subsequently created based on the La Plata model.

Now a successful and honored program of the Durango Chamber of Commerce, LLP enjoys more than 400 graduates, ranging from politicians and businesspeople, to non-profit directors and involved citizens and retirees – because leadership is needed in every aspect of a community. 
Apply to LLP
Home | Contact Us | Join the Chamber | Site Map
© COPYRIGHT Durango Chamber of Commerce 
2301 Main Ave. | P.O. Box 2587 | Durango. CO 81302
Toll-Free: 888-414-0835 | Phone: 970-247-0312  |  Fax: 970-385-7884
Email
Picture