The Durango area is rich in history and offers world-class attractions including Mesa Verde National Park, the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, Historic Downtown with outstanding dining and shopping. There are several high mountain lakes including the scenic Vallecito Lake just northeast of Durango. The Durango area has excellent trails for mountain biking and hiking, incredible skiing and recreation at Durango Mountain Resort and several golf courses including Dalton Ranch, Glacier Club and Hillcrest. Blue Ribbon and Gold Medal waters are s ure to please the anglers. The area is also popular for kayakers and families who enjoy rafting on the beautiful Animas River. Durango has something for absolutely everyone. The southern rockies are like no other range…enjoy the Durango images below….
Climate and Weather Information: Durango sits at 6512 feet above sea level and We are located in a transition zone between semi- arid and mountain. Residents enjoy an ideal four-season climate with moderate temperatures year-round. Durango winters are usually mild and sunny with temperatures staying between 10 and 50 degrees. Durango’s snowfall averages about 71″ each year. Durango Mountain Resort Ski area, 28 miles north of town receives as much as 300 inches per year. Spring brings warmer weather and rain with average annual precipitation of 19″ per year. Summer temperatures rarely climb more than the high 80s and rivers and reservoirs stay relatively full in summer, filled by melting snow from deep winter snows in the San Juan Mountains. Fall days are comfortable with cool mornings and dry warm afternoons, the perfect time for a mountain hike or a drive to view the colorful leaves on one of the area’s Scenic Byways.
Elevation: Town is 6,512 feet above sea level. Area Population : Approximately 16,000 in Durango. Approximately 64,000 in La Plata County.
Town History : Durango was founded in 1880 by the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad, when they extended their line from Durango to Silverton in order to haul precious metals from high country mines. The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad now is a popular attraction for visitors from all over the world who want to take a trip back in time and see some of North America’s finest scenery. Last year approximately 200,000 people rode the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad.
The Animas Valley offers a wonderful setting featuring the majestic red Hermosa Cliffs as seen below. Carved out by a Glacier leaving its spectacular mark on the landscape.
Interesting news tidbits about Durango Colorado
Durango was voted #4 of the 6 best towns on the Water by CNN Money (2008), 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 named top family resorts by Ski Magazine (2007), Conde Nast Traveler Magazine rates Durango Mountain Resort one of the Top 20 Ski areas in North America in (2007), Durango voted 3rd Best American Dreamtown: Bizjournals.com (2006), Durango voted Best Mountain Biking Town: Outside Magazine (2006) also hosted World Cup mountain bike races, Durango voted one the Best Places to Live and Play: Adventure Magazine (2006), Durango voted #1 Micropolitan Community: Colorado College Rocky Mountain Report.
More recently we have been written up in the magazines shown below for everything from “Best places to live”, Top Micropolitan Towns in US”, “Top 10 Western Towns”, “Life is better here”. Skiing Magazine calls Durango a “Dream Town”! Come see for yourself!
