For 40 days, beginning Monday, a lucky tourist in downtown Durango will be awarded a $100 gift card from one of the Business Improvement District’s downtown ambassadors.

The gift card to a local retailer or restaurant will be a way to thank them for supporting Durango in the wake of the 416 Fire. The effort is sponsored by Bank of Colorado, which has invested $4,000 to purchase the 40 $100 gift cards from a range of downtown businesses.

“Bank of Colorado has always been a passionate supporter of local businesses, so after the fire, we wanted to do something to help everyone,” said Greg Behn, Bank of Colorado regional president. “Underwriting the cost of the gift cards supports our local businesses, so they’re not out any sponsorship funding, plus it’s a win-win when we can attract our guests to visit stores or restaurants in the downtown.”

BID’s downtown ambassadors are “on the streets” daily assisting Durango’s visitors, said BID Executive Director Tim Walsworth. Ambassadors offer directions, suggestions and advice to help make people’s visits to Durango as pleasant as possible.

The gift-card giveaway will continue through Aug. 31.

“Subtleties such as this resonate with our visitors, and we ultimately reap benefits many times over when they remember their visit to Durango,” said Frank Lockwood, executive director of the Durango Area Tourism Office.

parmijo@durangoherald.com