Background & History

The Durango Dementia Coalition (DDC) started as a grassroots effort in September of 2022 with the goal of finding local, regional and national resources to "connect the dots" of the services available for people living with dementia and their caregivers. Dementia diagnoses are not afforded the continuing care received by other chronic diseases such as heart attack, diabetes, and cancer. Rural areas like ours lack wrap-around social and medical systems to connect people with services. 

DDC's Mission is to connect the dots to make care and resources more accessible to people living with dementia and their care partners in Southwest Colorado. Our goals are (1) to destigmatize dementia; (2) promote services for people living with dementia and care partners; and (3) craft an inclusive culture for people with dementia. DDC became a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in 2024, and we have been funded from community donations. We are completely volunteer staffed, and overhead is dedicated primarily to educational materials. Our work falls into two principal areas: (1) Community Education (speaking, news articles, website, newsletter, Planning Your Journey Care Planning Tool); and (2) Financial Support through our Caregiver Support Fund. 

DDC fills a critical gap by connecting rural families, care partners, and providers with accurate, locally relevant information and tangible support. From developing the Planning Your Journey guidebook and offering respite funding to building our Dementia Friend Network, DDC ensures that no one faces dementia alone. There is no comparable program serving rural dementia populations in the state. DDC demonstrates that with collaboration, compassion, and commitment, small communities can create meaningful change. DDC’s innovation lies in its grassroots, community-driven approach. In rural areas, top-down policies often fail to reach local families. DDC turned that model upside down, empowering residents to identify needs, share ideas, and act without waiting for permission.