Durango city attorney Dirk Nelson resigned abruptly Wednesday, notifying City Council that his departure would be immediate, according to a news release from the city.
No reason was given for his resignation. When reached by phone Wednesday evening, Nelson said he was “not so great right now,” and that he could not talk at the moment, before hanging up.
City Council scheduled an executive session for 4:15 p.m. Thursday to formally acknowledge Nelson’s notice of resignation and to discuss the search for an interim city attorney and a long-term replacement.
City Councilor Kim Baxter said Wednesday evening that Nelson had been looking for an assistant city attorney to help him with “changing and growing” responsibilities and had identified a finalist earlier this week.
In his notice to City Council, Nelson said he is “currently unable to perform the essential functions of his position” and that his resignation is effective immediately, the news release says.
“Dirk is universally respected by his colleagues, staff and city councilors,” Tom Sluis, spokesman for the city of Durango, said in the release. “We are incredibly thankful for his invaluable service and numerous contributions to the city and citizens of Durango.”
Nelson has served as the city attorney since 2014. He represented the city of Durango as a speaker during seminars at Colorado Municipal League conferences.
Before he joined the city, he served as legal counsel for other towns and cities and is “highly respected at the state and regional level for his expansive knowledge of municipal law,” the release says.
cburney@durangoherald.com
