About Durango

Historic Downtown Durango boasts shops, galleries, museums, fine restaurants, Fort Lewis College, Music in the Mountains, community recreation center, golf courses, parks, and the famous Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. To the north are the impressive San Juan Mountains that provide excellent skiing each winter and hiking, mountain biking, rafting and fly fishing on the Animas River each summer. To the south and west are mesas in the open high desert with rock climbing, archeology and horseback riding.
There are several other factors that enhance Durango's attractiveness. Of these factors, the most important are the area's mild seasons, its wealth of outdoor recreational opportunities, amazing views, friendly community, and its reasonable resort-town pricing; all of which serve as significant draws for tourists, retirees, and seasonal residents.
The recreational areas and cultural attractions in Durango make it a strategic hub for the region. Within close proximity to Downtown Durango are the famous Mesa Verde ruins, San Juan and Uncompahgre National Forests, Durango Mountain Resort, Telluride Ski Area, Ute Mountain Casino, McPhee Lake, and the Trail of the Ancients.
Visit Durango once, and you'll fall in love for a lifetime.

RELOCATION FACTS & DATA

Durango In the News!
Durango was voted #4 of the 6 Most Terrific Towns on the Water by CNN Money (2008), Durango and Durango Mountain Resort was identified as one of the Next Best Places to Ski, Live, Invest and Retire by Ski Magazine (2008), Durango Mountain Resort was named one of the 7 Great Mountains to Ski with Your Kids in Ski Magazine (2007), Durango was identified as a Hot Spot to Buy Real Estate in the Market Report (2007), Durango Mountain Resort was selected as one of the Top 20 Ski Resorts in North America in Conde Nast Traveler Magazine (2007), Durango was voted 3rd Best American Dreamtown by Bizjournals.com (2006), Durango was voted Best Mountain Biking Town by Outside Magazine (2006), Durango was voted One the Best Places to Live and Play by Adventure Magazine (2006), Durango was voted #1 Micropolitan Community by Colorado College Rocky Mountain Report.

Distance & Direction to Major Cities:

Albuquerque - 215 miles SE
Colorado Springs - 302 miles NE
Denver - 333 miles NE
Grand Junction - 169 miles NW
Phoenix - 461 miles SW
Salt Lake City - 413 miles NW
Santa Fe - 216 miles SE

Climate Data:

Average Temperatures:
January - Low 10.5, High 39.5
April - Low 29.2, High 61.2
July - Low 50.0, High 85.0
October - Low 31.3, High 65.5
Average number of days of sunshine - 300
Average annual rainfall - 19 inches
Average annual snowfall - 71 inches
Elevation above sea level - 6,512 feet

Population:
City of Durango (2005) - 15,878
LaPlata County (2006) - 47,936
LaPlata County (2020 forecast) - 68,613

Major Employers:
Southern Ute Indian Tribe
Mercy Medical Center
School District 9-R
Fort Lewis College
Local/County/Federal Government

Health Care:
Mercy Regional Medical Center opened it's new state-of-the-art $80M facility in summer 2006. Other providers are Animas Surgical Hospital, Durango Urgent Care, Four Corners Health Care Center, Southwest Colorado Mental Health Center, and San Juan Basin Health.

Air Service:
The Durango/LaPlata County Airport, 12 miles southeast of Durango, provides for commercial and general aviation. Daily commercial nonstop flights to Denver, Salt Lake City and Phoenix are currently flying. Air freight carriers operate daily. Current airlines include United and Frontier.

Home Prices:
The median single-family home sales prices in 2006 were: Durango - $422,982 Bayfield - $290,487 Ignacio - $158,105

Education:
Durango School District 9-R - The largest school district in SW Colorado. Durango holds three elementary schools, two middle schools, and one high school. The district-wide teacher-to-student ratio is 13:1, including regular classroom teachers, aides and specialists. Fort Lewis College - A four year public liberal-arts institution of approx. 4,500 student. It offers 25 degree programs in education, arts and sciences, and business administration. Pueblo Community College - This two year college offers a wide range of courses, including basic skills classes.

Area "Fourteeners":
Sunlight Peak, Windom Peak and Mt. Eolus, all located in Weminuche Wilderness of the San Juan Mountains.

Camping:
Over 900 camping sites within a 40-mile radius of Durango.

Tourism Office:
Durango Area Tourism Office: (970) 247-3500