Local First Foundation

Local First Foundation fosters self-reliance, sense of place, and well-being for the people of southwest Colorado. It was formed in 2019 as a sister organization to Local First, a trade association established in 2010 to serve as the voice of locally owned, independent businesses in La Plata County. Local First Foundation partners with Local First and passionate localists to build a local economy that values people, the planet, and prosperity for everyone. 

We make change happen through programs and initiatives such as the following:

Saving Money on Healthcare: 1,730 residents of southwest Colorado selected Elevate Health Plans in 2024 through our partnership with Peak Health Alliance that increases local choice and insurance market competition. These plans offer average premium savings of 5 percent or $360 per person annually, adding up to collective savings of approximately $620,000 that is recirculating in our local economy. Since 2021 our efforts have reduced the local cost of living by $6 million dollars.

Preserving Affordable Housing: Residents of Westside Mobile Home Park took control of their own destiny by purchasing their land, thanks to generous contributions by local businesses to the La Plata Impact Fund, which invested $140,000 in a “funding stack” that helped make the deal possible. 

Sustaining the Local Workforce: During the pandemic, our Feed the Frontlines initiative raised almost $140,000 from 326 individuals and organizations, thereby keeping staff employed at local restaurants that provided 9,722 meals to healthcare and emergency response workers. 

Nurturing Local Self-Reliance: Free healthcare literacy training, offered in partnership with Allen Health Academy, empowers local residents to advocate for themselves when faced with medical billing errors and insurance coverage denials. One resident used this information to avoid $1,000 in excessive medical charges!

Promoting Localism: We raise public awareness of the circular economy and co-sponsor community events with Local First that promote local economic prosperity by encouraging residents to shop local, eat local, create local, and act local.

• First Fridays, hosted in partnership with the Durango Creative District and the ArtRoom Collective, celebrates our community’s creative scene by linking local businesses to showcase artists and artisans of all kinds.
• A Harvest Dinner in previous years showcased partnerships between local farmers and chefs using locally sourced foods, thereby raising awareness of regenerative agriculture practices. 
• Noel Night kicks off the holiday shopping season and builds a sense of community among residents who enjoy special events and deals offered by local businesses in downtown Durango.

Building a Movement: We collaborate with governments and nonprofits to build community capacity and advance joint goals, such as sustainable business practices. Our efforts have included establishing the Durango Creative District, for which we served as fiscal sponsor; and incubating the Good Food Collective, which uplifts Latinx food business entrepreneurs among other goals.

We invite you to invest in the localist movement in southwest Colorado. 

Through a gift to the Local First Foundation, you demonstrate your values, join a collective, and help make our unique corner of Colorado the best it can be for years to come by promoting a sustainable, thriving local independent economy and change making with community at the center. 

Thank you for giving today!