Re-Think the Drink: Just how Important is Alcohol in Durango?
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Durango has well over 30 bars and six breweries. Its population hovers around 18,000 and its total area is under seven square miles. The recent makeover of the town’s staple coffee shop, The Steaming Bean Coffee Co., leaves residents with very few options when it comes to social establishments that do not serve alcohol.
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Acknowledging Durango’s Drinking Problem
There are eight coffee shops in Durango. While this may seem like a lot, many of these businesses double as retail stores and bars, making them less-than-ideal places for people to work, study, or hold meetings.
Scott Smith is a youth advocate for La Plata Youth Services. He said if there were more social outlets available to Fort Lewis students that did not revolve around alcohol consumption, “It would encourage the responsible use of alcohol, decrease sexual assaults, decrease motor vehicle accidents, decrease crime and provide a safer environment.”
*This survey was taken by our ENG315 class via Facebook. There were 11 participants, 38% female and 50% male. Click here to read a Q&A with FLC student Olivia Nofzinger about the college drinking scene.
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Becky Clausen is an associate professor and chair of the sociology department at Fort Lewis. She estimates that there are approximately 100 events each year that get special-use permits to serve alcohol.
“Alcohol is celebrated as a social norm here, while the underlying issues of addiction and DUIs continue,” Clausen said.
In 2014 Mercy Regional Hospital’s Director said rates of alcohol use and abuse have risen, and health effects that the hospital would normally see in middle-aged patients are now appearing in patients in their 20s and 30s.
When describing Snowdown, Durango’s most popular community event, a Huffington Post article read, “There are a few events for families, but most are for adults only and are centered around your average Coloradan’s love of beer.”
Smith said events like Snowdown and Taste of Durango send the message to young people that alcohol is required to have fun.
Clausen said profit from alcohol sales is what drives businesses and events to serve booze.
“Durango celebrates alcohol-related events as part of the social fabric, with little consideration for the addiction, violence, and social problems that can result from excessive alcohol consumption,” Clausen said.EndFragment
Alcohol-Related Driving Fatalities in Colorado
2007:199 alcohol-related fatalities out of 554 total fatalities (35.9%)
2006: 208 out of 535 (38.8%)
2005: 236 out of 606 (38.9%)
1975: 294 out of 591 (49.7%)
*Read Luke Perkins's Independent article on DUIs here
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The Steaming Bean’s Approach
On March 15th the Steaming Bean Coffee Co. moved from 915 Main Ave. to its new location underneath the Irish Embassy Pub.
Erika Fendley, current manager and former owner of the Steaming Bean, said she was very limited as to how much alcohol she could sell at the old location because of her lease. Now the coffee shop features two full bars plus the bar upstairs in the Embassy.
The Steaming Bean's old locale was popular among groups, students, and working professionals. Clausen said she enjoyed “the safe and family-friendly feel” of the shop, and Fendley said many people used the Bean as their office.
Fendley said because the shop’s new layout has two separate rooms, those who use the Bean for work can stay in the back room, while those seeking face-to-face interaction and/or the bar scene can remain up front.
There are not many places for Durango citizens to go that can “still be just as alive and social and stimulating but not be blatant with drunkenness,” Fendley said.
She wants the Bean to continue to be one of those places.EndFragment
Photo Assignment: document a photo "tour" of the Steaming Bean's new location.
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