Area Information

Ancestral Puebloans lived in the area from 600 to 1300 AD. Southern Utes, Ute Mountain Utes and Navajo followed. Spanish explorers discovered the area in the 16th century. The names of the San Juan Mountains, Animas River, Escalante Crossing and Santa Rita Park illustrate the region's Hispanic roots. Even the name "Durango" comes from our sister city of Durango, Mexico. It is taken from the Basque word "urango" meaning "water town." White settlers brought mining, farming and ranching to the area.

In Durango itself, snow shoveling is only an occasional chore. In the summer, temperatures seldom get above the high 80s while spring brings stimulating afternoon showers. Autumn brings pleasant Indian summers with clear, cool and dry days. Winters are usually mild, sunny and dry with few days of temperatures even close to zero. Our area features a dozen independent art galleries, the Durango Arts Center, the gallery at Fort Lewis College and the Community Concert Hall. Area museums include the Animas Museum, the Center of Southwest Studies, the Children's Museum and the Southern Ute Cultural Center. Annual festivals include the La Plata County Fair, the Songwriters Expo, the Durango Film Festival, Snowdown Winter Festivities, the Iron Horse Bicycle Classic, Bayfield Sheep Festival and Labor Day Motorcycle Rally. The district has 7 elementary schools, 2 middle schools and a comprehensive high school. Durango is also home to Fort Lewis College. Pueblo Community College has a unique partnership with San Juan Basin Technical School. Area health care needs are met by Animas Surgical Hospital, Mercy Medical Center, San Juan Basin Health, Four Corners Health Care Center, Southwest Colorado Mental Health Center and Sunshine Gardens. Our area features some of the finest fishing and hunting anywhere! You'll find northern pike, salmon, brook and German brown trout in our rivers, streams and lakes. Downhill skiing and snowboarding can be found at the Durango Mountain Resort (Purgatory), Wolf Creek Ski Area, Ski Hesperus and Kendall Mountain. You'll also find plenty of cross-country skiing plus groomed trails right in town at the Hillcrest Golf Course across from Purgatory at the Nordic Center and other areas near Durango. Another classic winter activity is riding the Cascade Canyon Winter Train on the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. Durango also features 32 city parks, 3 quality golf courses and the new $15 million Durango Community Recreation Center.

Home | Homes | Land | Commercial Property | Farm & Ranch

Privacy Statement | Terms of Use