Mercy Hospital Community Benefit Forum

Sadly, this teeny tiny photo on the interwebs was all we could find of the original Durango International Hostel. Located on East Second Ave., it was razed for apartments. RIP. We invite you to virtually attend our Hospital Community Benefit Accountability Forum to learn about how we are advancing whole person care by participating in the Hospital Transformation Program. Additionally, we’ll share the Community Benefit investments from 2022, and one of our Health Equity & Advancement Fund awardees will give an inside look at their organization’s funded initiative.

United States is behind in the hostel game. Whereas hostels are commonplace in Europe and other countries, this country is only just coming around to it.

“I don’t know if it’s because of the movie ‘Hostel’ or what,” Gonzalez joked, referring to the splatter-horror films where unsuspecting foreigners are lured into hostels and then tortured or murdered (though hiking up a 14er could be considered a type of torture for some).

Joking aside, Gonzalez said more and more people are open to the hostel concept, which is more communal and allows you to meet people from all over the world.

“I think more people in the U.S. are getting curious and giving them a try,” he said.

Motel Durango’s Benson said the hostel will work to improve the space as it grows in popularity. But long term, he said there could be added amenities such as a shuttle service to the Junction Creek trailhead and partnerships with outdoor guide services.

“We’re at a sweet spot for now, but if it continues to take off, we may expand to more rooms,” he said. “We’re hoping now that it's spring, and word got out last year, that more hikers and outdoor recreationists want a bed to sleep in at night and go explore and play all day.”

And in the long run, towns with hostels find the economic benefit of hikers staying for a few days, eating out, going to bars and recharging (known as a “zero day”). “We have a number of towns along the way that are real draws for hikers to spend days,” Champion said. “People skip towns if they can't confidently know if there’s lodging in those places.”

And now that Durango boasts a hostel, thru-hikers have an affordable option to lay their heads after enjoying that free Carvers beer. But now they have a place to shower first. ■

Your engagement in this Forum will not only strengthen our multi-sector collaboration but allow us to fulfill our commitment to caring for the whole health–mind, body, and spirit–of our patients, neighbors, and communities.

Language assistance services will be available at the Forum if you speak a language other than English, including ASL. Please contact Bryan Trujillo, Enterprise Director, Community Health Improvement, at HaroldTrujillo@centura.org to arrange language assistance services. Thank you for your continued support and partnership, and we look forward to seeing you at the virtual Forum.

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