Download the Leadership La Plata Application here!
Application Process
Participants in Leadership La Plata are selected through a written application and personal interview procedure organized by the Selection Committee, made up of LLP graduates. Every effort is made to build a dynamic and economically, socially and occupationally diverse class of individuals who will contribute his or her unique attributes, background and expertise to the whole.
Recruitment traditionally begins in April, and LLP sponsors free informational receptions to allow prospective candidates to meet current class members and alumni and learn more about the program. The reception dates and locations have not yet been set.
The completed written application, which can be downloaded from this page or picked up at either reception or at the Durango Chamber of Commerce, must be returned to the Durango Chamber office in Santa Rita Park (the Visitor’s Center) by date TBD. Applicants are asked to include two letters of recommendation, and it is suggested that at least one letter be from a LLP graduate. This requirement ensures that applicants have a full understanding of the program and the commitment. If, after reviewing the Alumni Directory, you find that you do not know an LLP alum, please email us and we will connect you.
Once written applications are collected, the Selection Committee will schedule an individual interview sometime during the ensuing weeks. All candidates will be notified by letter in July, after the full LLP Steering Committee, the overall governing body of the organization, reviews and approves the class. Class size is limited to a maximum of 18. If selection is denied this year, we do encourage applicants to reapply in subsequent years.
The non-refundable tuition for the program is $450 per person, which funds the weekend retreat, all sessions, leadership training skills and the graduation celebration. Tuition must be paid by the participant or a sponsoring organization by the August deadline, or an installment-payment plan agreement must be entered into by the deadline.
Because LLP is committed to promoting participation from all areas of La Plata County, two "Incentive Positions" are available, specifically for residents of areas outside the city of Durango, including Allison, Ignacio, Vallecito, Bayfield, Hesperus, unincorporated areas of the county and the Southern Ute Indian Reservation. These areas are under-represented in our LLP alumni, and we hope to change that in time. To encourage applicants from these under-represented areas to apply to LLP and to promote a greater geographical diversity of class members in each group, applicants awarded the incentive positions automatically receive a $200 reduction to the tuition fee If you are interested in applying for one of our "Incentive Positions," please indicate this by checking the appropriate box on the LLP application and providing the necessary information.
LLP is also interested in ensuring that financial constraints are not a limiting factor for any applicant. No matter where you live in La Plata County, you may apply for assistance with program costs by including the request in your application under "Request for Financial Assistance." Acceptance into the program is not dependent on the source of the tuition.
Once accepted to the program, participants are expected to attend all sessions, held the second Friday of the month, October though May, plus an additional session the first Friday of May. Attendance is mandatory at the September retreat – which will begin the evening of the second Friday in September and conclude mid-day on Sunday. While we do recognize that emergencies arise, missing two of the regular class sessions could result in dismissal from the class.
Remember, the Selection Committee will be looking to build the most dynamic class of diverse individuals. Leaders come from and are needed in all walks of life. No one is too established in the community or too new, though we ask that applicants have resided in La Plata County for at least one year. Applicants must be 25 years of age or older.
Download the Leadership La Plata Application here!