City Council determines the policies and laws necessary to regulate city growth and development. By adopting the city's annual budget, Council sets funding levels for all city services, programs and activities.

The Durango City Council, La Plata County Commissioners and the 9-R School District have developed the La Plata Youth Services to serve at-risk youth in the community. The Council has also worked with La Plata County to identify and address recreation issues in the region.

City Manager
The City Manager, the city's chief administrative officer, is responsible to the City Council for all affairs placed in his charge by Council, the City Charter, or bylaw. The Manager, as provided by Charter, directs and supervises the various departments, offices, and agencies of the city government, seeing to it that the goals and objectives of the Council are accomplished and its policies and directives are carried out. The Manager is also responsible for the development and preparation of the city's annual budget and capital improvement program, and administers both following their adoption by the City Council.

Under the auspices of the City Manager's office, the government-access television channel began broadcasting in 1993. Programming includes coverage of City Council meetings, Planning Commission actions, and a City Bulletin Board with an up-to-date calendar of municipal activities. Television programming provides a full range of information on public affairs to promote a greater exchange between city government and it constituents.

City Attorney
The office of the City Attorney prepares all ordinances, resolutions, contracts, and agreements for consideration by the City Council. The City Attorney's office also defends the City in the course of any legal action against it, and prosecutes cases in Municipal Court. Legal advice is provided by the Attorney's office to the City Council, the City Manager and administrative staff, the Durango Planning Commission and the Liquor Licensing Authority.

City Clerk
In addition to preserving the city's history, the services provided by the City Clerk's office include the issuance of licenses, election administration, preparation of City Council agendas and legal notices, maintenance of a central records system, and coordination of the city's property and casualty insurance coverage.

Municipal Court
Durango's Municipal Court has jurisdiction over a variety of municipal ordinances which include underage alcohol consumption, petty larceny, trespassing, resisting arrest and traffic offenses.

Personnel
The Personnel Office coordinates recruiting new employees, employee benefits, and personnel management and wage studies.