Durango's warming shelter is providing a lifesaving refuge for unhoused community members during the coldest winter nights. After years of discussion, the City Council unanimously approved the shelter following overwhelming neighborhood support with 88% of residents surveyed backing the initiative. The shelter opens when temperatures are forecasted to drop to 15 degrees or below, operating with trained coordinators and volunteers who provide transportation from the transit center, warm meals from Manna Soup Kitchen, and a safe place to sleep. Since opening this season, the shelter has seen growing demand, serving up to 24 people on recent nights, including families with children. The shelter is currently operating on a trial resolution, with hopes to secure a permanent ordinance if operations continue successfully. For those experiencing homelessness in Durango, this warming center represents more than just shelter — it's a compassionate response that literally saves lives.

This story is sponsored by Kroegers Ace Hardware and Durango Gelato, Coffee & Tea.

By Paige Sparks.

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