The Durango Parade of Homes, a three-day, annual event previously hosted by the Home Builders Association of Southwest Colorado, is back under new leadership after a hiatus.
This year’s parade, which will take place Sept. 11 to 13, has been organized by a standalone, volunteer-based nonprofit that is also named Durango Parade of Homes, following the dissolution of the Southwest Colorado HBA chapter.
The event, which invites attendees to view some of the area’s finest homes, was canceled in 2023 amid turmoil within the HBA, which stemmed in part from the departure of former Executive Officer Rebekah DeLaMare and turnover on the board of directors.
The event was held in 2024, but fell off again in 2025 following news that DeLaMare had been arrested on suspicion of third-degree felony theft.
DeLaMare, who worked for the homebuilders group from 2019 to 2022, allegedly made $186,000 in fraudulent purchases out of the nonprofit’s bank account, according to statements made by law enforcement in 2024.
“The (2024) parade was a success – the support for the parade was there, but the support for the association was not, particularly after a lot of (it had) just been in the paper,” said Katie Bisogno, who was part of the group that organized the 2024 parade under the HBA and is now part of the new nonprofit. “I think (the HBA) just lost a lot of faith, unfortunately, from the community, so they actually just gave up the chapter locally.”
All outstanding debts were paid off before the chapter dissolved, and any remaining HBA funds were donated to SkillsUSA and Habitat for Humanity, she said. The new nonprofit, which started independently and without any funding from the HBA chapter, exists solely to run the parade and support charitable causes moving forward.
The 2026 parade is modeled slightly differently than those in year’s past, Bisogno said – it will be more community-driven, and will not be limited to builders or building-related sponsors.
For example, one of the new sponsors this year includes a local home-cleaning company that is both offering services to participating builders and donating a prize for ticket holders, Bisogno said, and all proceeds from the event will benefit local charities and community programs, including D-Snip, the Sexual Assault Services Organization, 4 the Children, Bearsmart, the Fort Lewis College Katz School of Business and the Durango Chamber of Commerce.
This year’s parade will offer two ticket tiers – general admission and VIP.
A VIP ticket, which goes for $75, gets an attendee entry into the Sept. 12 and 13 home visits, plus a new, high-end “First Look Friday” evening event on Sept. 11, featuring catered food, drinks and goodie bags for the first 100 VIPs, Bisogno said.
General admission, which goes for $35, gets an attendee base Sept. 12 and 13 access.
Tickets will be sold online and at several events around town, including the Durango Farmer’s Market, Bisogno said
For more information
The 2026 Durango Parade of Homes will take place 5 to 9 p.m. Sept. 11; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 12; and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 13.
Registered attendees will be given a program a week before the event that will include their ticket and addresses for all homes in the lineup, organizer Katie Bisogno said.
Tickets will go on sale June 22, online at www.durangoparadeofhomes.org and at select events around town, including the Durango Farmer’s Market.
For more information on the 2026 Durango Parade of Homes, visit www.durangoparadeofhomes.org.
Seven homes, located in areas like Jack Rabbit Trail, Durango Ridge Ranch and the Glacier Club, will be featured in this year’s lineup – slightly less than the nine homes featured in 2024.
Bisogno said the fewer number of homes will provide a more intimate and focused experience for guests.
“Right now, it’s actually a smaller parade than it has been historically ... and we’re actually really excited about it being smaller,” she said.
Another new element of this year’s parade is a prize drawing associated with each home.
Attendees will check in at each home to be eligible to win the prizes, which will include a $5,000 closet system from Colorado Closets Plus; a fire pit from Four Corner Stoves; a two-night Grand Canyon trip; and other art-, home- and lifestyle-related items, Bisogno said.
The nonprofit’s intention behind reviving the event lies in supporting the community and uplifting the work of builders, she said.
“It’s just trying to maintain a successful event to continue giving (and) supporting charitable causes,” she said. “(That) would be our main goal.”
epond@durangoherald.com
