Participatory Budgeting is a process where community members can directly decide how to spend public funds. The idea behind PB is that budgets are better spent when everyone participates in decision-making. Through a series of public gatherings, community members generate ideas for how money should be spent, those ideas are developed into project proposals that include the concrete details of completing the project, proposed projects are presented, and then the community votes on which ones to fund.
How is the Coalition Using PB?
Thanks to the Food System | Food Equity Coalition, our community has $20,000.00 to spend on projects that address COVID-19 relief and any aspect of our local food system. The Coalition recognizes all of the good and hard work our farmers, ranchers, backyard growers, food pantry operators and volunteers, restaurants, and food processors do for our community. The Coalition not only wants these funds to support the local food system, it believes the local community should make decisions about where to spend this money. PB has been used in cities, organizations, and schools all over the world since it began in 1989. Archuleta County will be the first ever large scale participatory budgeting initiative in Colorado! Come be a part of this groundbreaking effort!
Here is a brief video describing participatory budgeting process for the Coalition.
If you would like to be a part of participatory budgeting in Archuleta County, please complete the voter registration form. See below for eligibility information.
How PB works
Idea Collection Virtual. Virtual idea collection event on October 12, 2020
Eligibility Who can submit ideas and proposals? Anyone of any age who lives, works, or goes to school in, or has a child that goes to school in Archuleta County. Who can vote? Anyone over the age of 14 who lives, works, or goes to high school in, or has a child that goes to school in Archuleta County. Anyone eligible must still complete the voter registration form in order to participate. All participants will be given access to our virtual spaces on Slack for posting ideas, presenting proposals and voting.
Rules If you would like to get more detailed information about the process here in Archuleta County, please feel free to look over our rulebook. If you have any other questions, please email the Food Coalition.
Useful information Events CalendarPlease click HERE to access the Events Calendar
Idea Collection (October 10th - October 18th)
Virtual Idea Collection - Monday, October 12th at 5:30pm
Pagosa Springs High School Idea Collection - Tuesday October 13th & Thursday October 15th during Advisory
Proposal Development (October 19th - November 5th)
Proposal Presentations (November 6th - November 13th)
Voting (November 14th - November 22nd)
FS|FE Weekly Community ConversationsThe Food System|Food Equity Coalition hosts a weekly community conversation via zoom every Wednesday from 2:00-3:00pm. Click HERE for the link.
Rules OverviewPlease consult the rulebook for guidance on what proposals should be about. If you have any questions or for more information, please email the Food Coalition.
Creating Project Proposals Please email the Food Coalition and someone will get back to you within 48 hours to assist you to create your proposal.
In the News October 8, 2020 Pagosa Sun - Click HERE for the link to the Preview and read the article on page 2. November 4, 2020 KSUT Radio Station - Click HERE for the link to listen to the interview on KSTU. November 5, 2020 Pagosa Sun -Click HERE for the link to the Pagosa Sun and read the article on the front page.