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Durango, CO

Frequently asked questions

Durango, CO

Durango is a home rule municipality that is the county seat and the most populous municipality of La Plata County, Colorado, United States. The city population was 19,071 at the 2020 United States Census. Durango is the home of Fort Lewis College.

The town was organized from September 1880 to April 1881 by the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad (D&RG, later known as the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad) as part of their efforts to reach Silverton, Colorado, and service the San Juan mining district, the goal of their "San Juan Extension" built from Alamosa Colorado. The D&RG chose a site in the Animas Valley close to the Animas River near what's now the Downtown Durango Historic Business District for its railroad facilities following a brief and most likely perfunctory negotiation with the other establishment in the area known as Animas City, two miles to the north. The city was named by ex-Colorado Governor Alexander C. Hunt, a friend of D&RG President William Jackson Palmer, after Durango, Mexico, based on his favorable impression of that city resulting from a scouting trip undertaken on behalf of Palmer.

Palmer among other D&RG associates such as William Bell started a subsidiary company known as the Durango Trust to sell land and plan a Main Street, 2nd, and 3rd Avenue, and so on to organize the town, taking inspiration from how Palmer founded the city of Colorado Springs. Sales from the Durango Trust skyrocketed by the completion of the D&RG's Silverton Branch, and by 1885, Durango's business district had seven hotels and restaurants, eleven saloons, dancehalls and stores, two bakeries, and blacksmith shops, and a variety of other businesses, also boosting the town of Silverton's population to 2,000 at the time.

The D&RG(W) and the Rio Grande Southern Railroad were vital resources to many places including Durango before the major introduction of the automobile, helping transport goods such as produce and mineral traffic in and out of the Southwestern Colorado area, and along with other businesses such as the Durango Smelter, immensely supporting the town's economy. However, the Great Depression and aftermath of World War II hurt the area's railroad industry. The Rio Grande Southern lost its contract to transport mail in 1951, and soon thereafter suspended operations. The D&RGW also ended their San Juan Express passenger service from Durango to Alamosa. However, the natural scenery along their Silverton Branch had been recognized as a major tourist attraction. In turn, the D&RGW introduced the major tourism industry into the Durango area, transporting visitors up to Silverton and back and attracting Hollywood into La Plata County for a time. Once the D&RGW ended up losing its freight traffic in 1968, the tracks from Durango east to Chama, New Mexico, and south to Farmington, New Mexico were removed, but the Silverton Branch remained in operation until 1981 when it was sold and became the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad.

At the 2020 United States Census, the town had a total area of 10,946 acres (44.296 km2) including 1,533 acres (6.203 km2) of water.

Durango serves the residents the kind of support they need for their well-being. There are health and wellness centers such as the Woodhouse Day Spa provides a luxurious spa experience including a variety of massage options like Swedish massage, deep tissue massage, and hot stone massage. Elixir Mind Body Massage offers therapeutic massages, couples massages, and specialized treatments like CBD-infused massages. Vital Root Massage focuses on therapeutic massage techniques to relieve pain, reduce stress, and improve overall well-being. Spavia Day Spa offers customized massages along with spa treatments like facials and body wraps. The Joint offers affordable chiropractic care without the need for appointments. Colorado Pain Care specializes in chiropractic care for pain management, sports injuries, and rehabilitation. Ascent Health Center provides chiropractic care, massage therapy, and other wellness services.
 

Top Sites in Durango, CO: Animas Museum, Purgatory Resort, Durango Community Recreation Center, and Strater Hotel.
 

Population: 19,531 (2022). Elevation: 6,522′. Area code: 970. Area: 17.103 sq mi (44.296 km2). ZIP Code: 81301-81303.
 

FAQs

What is special about Durango, Colorado?

Durango has all the classic trappings of a western mountain town, from whitewater rafting and hiking on endless trails to bicycling and even ice fishing. Recognized as one of Colorado's last fully free-flowing rivers, the 126-mile-long Animas River has plenty of secrets—including where it got its name. Animas River is derived from the Spanish words "river of lost souls," yet no one seems to know if it was first named by Spanish conquistadors or explorers who discovered ancient Pueblo homes. However, one thing's for sure: from kayaking and paddle boarding to some of the best fishing in the country, you can do it all on the Animas River.

Is Durango, CO expensive to live in?

Thanks to the outdoor activities and other attractive amenities, the cost of living in Durango is predictably higher than the national average. The median list price for all homes in Durango, including single-family homes, condos, and townhomes, is around $540,000. The median list price for single-family homes in Durango is around $659,000, higher than the average for all homes. For a one-bedroom apartment, the median rent in Durango is $1,830. The median rent for a two-bedroom apartment is $2,400, while a four-bedroom home's median rent is $3,900.

Does anyone famous live in Durango Colorado?

Many famous faces, including several famous athletes, Olympians, artists, writers, and actors, have called Durango home. Among Durango’s famous faces is Bob Roll, a world-class road bike competitor, who raced in the Tour de France and was a commentator for the Tour in 2001. Dolph Kuss finished second in the World Master Cross Country Ski Championships held in Finland in 1988. He won the downhill event in the National Masters Alpine Championships in 1991.

Sources

City of Durango

Wikipedia

Durango Homes for Sale

Visit Durango Colorado

Woodhouse Day Spa

Elixir Mind Body Massage

Vital Root Massage

Spavia Day Spa

The Joint

Colorado Pain Care

Ascent Health Center

Animas Museum 

Purgatory Resort 

Durango Community Recreation Center 

Strater Hotel

The content herein is provided for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Medical information changes constantly, and therefore the content on this website should not be assumed to be current, complete or exhaustive. Always seek the advice of your doctor before starting or changing treatment. If you think you may have a medical emergency, please call your doctor or 9-1-1 (in the United States) immediately.